[saturnsc]

Attention American Forum Members!

Please make sure that your country extends federal tax subsodies to those installing solar panels. This legislation is up for review in your congress right now. It might help to go here: Solar Nation

This has been a real success in Germany, where it has created a multi-million if not billion dollar solar manufacturing industry. I wish Canada would get some common sense and do something like this.

Tangent:

If every house needs to have a roof, why allow non-reflective black material (your typical shingle roofs) to cover it (which leads to global warming) when as an opportunity cost states could legislate that solar roofing be made mandatory? This would reduce energy needs, help power the grid (especially on those hot sunny days when power is most needed) and use absorbed solar energy to produce electricity rather than heat up attics and the surrounding environment.

[ToddF]

Hey Saturnsc,

I work in solar in St. Paul and could not agree more with your opinion. Last night, public television aired a NOVA that discussed the state of PV solar and it covered Germany's aggressive stance on renewable energy. It's great that 80% of your citizens support this.

Unfortunately, the U.S. has a ways to go. Even if we changed our attitude overnight, the lack of qualified technicians and the worldwide shortatage of PV panels will take a year or two to get better. Hopefully, the attention our media pays to global climate change will continue at a high level. We tend to move on quickly in America when we are not reminded...

[saturnsc]

Actually I watched Nova last night too, which is what got me thinking. Oh and I'm Canadian not German. The thing is that here in America, both Canada and the US, I agree that people need constant reminders or they move onto other issues. Recently I saw David Suzuki speak live and he reminded me of this. It seems in 1989 the environment was just as huge in the media as it is now. Change was promised, but then again other issues took over and the environment lost out.

[ToddF]

Look into solar hot water. It provides six times more energy per area and costs much less.

[Stepper]

Thanks, saturnsc! I sent e-mails to my senators and congressman.

[pt49]

Unfortunately Silicon PV cells are not very efficient. They convert only 14% of the suns energy at best. That and their cost puts flat panel systems out of the reach of most people.

Sunseeker Energy has developed a better system that has an efficiancy ratio of about 36% and is cheaper to produce than flat panel systems. Sunseeker is not in America as yet (Feb 0 but negotiations are under way. They are listing on the German Stock Exchange about mid March 08.

You can find details at http://www.sunseekerenergy.com

[Roguegal]

You know, you talk about the crisis over energy as if it was nothing. No matter what, people like myself were on disability or low incomes will never be able to afford solar panels for their home. Unless they make a government subsidy that pays for it. Otherwise I would have sore pounds on my roof to heat my water if nothing else.

[pt49]

Originally Posted by Roguegal

You know, you talk about the crisis over energy as if it was nothing. No matter what, people like myself were on disability or low incomes will never be able to afford solar panels for their home. Unless they make a government subsidy that pays for it. Otherwise I would have sore pounds on my roof to heat my water if nothing else.

In Australia the government rebate for a Solar installation is up to $8,000. However a conventional Solar power flat panel system costs $30-$70,000.

I believe the Sunseeker units will be leased rather than sold making them affordable for everyone.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by pt49

Unfortunately Silicon PV cells are not very efficient. They convert only 14% of the suns energy at best. That and their cost puts flat panel systems out of the reach of most people.

Sunseeker Energy has developed a better system that has an efficiancy ratio of about 36% and is cheaper to produce than flat panel systems. Sunseeker is not in America as yet (Feb 0 but negotiations are under way. They are listing on the German Stock Exchange about mid March 08.

You can find details at http://www.sunseekerenergy.com

Hey all living organism are solar powerd cause of plants..........plants are only 1% effeicent

[Roguegal]

Originally Posted by pt49

In Australia the government rebate for a Solar installation is up to $8,000. However a conventional Solar power flat panel system costs $30-$70,000.

I believe the Sunseeker units will be leased rather than sold making them affordable for everyone.

It makes no difference if it's a purchase for a lease arrangement. There are too many people in the United States and possibly around the world that would never be able to afford it because they are on a limited income. My income is only $940 a month. I can barely pay my rent and utilities and then groceries. How in this world would I be able to afford to either purchase or lease a solar panel system when I can't even afford a car. That is the point I am trying to make. It is not cheap enough for the poor of the world to afford.