Comments on: Solar Panelling made mandatory?

By: jleblanc42

jleblanc42 — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:49:59 +0000

If they were really such a good value, mandates would not be necessary. Mandates and subsides only serve to perpetuate waste and failure.
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By: abcd

abcd — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:38:59 +0000

Another way to get everyone use clean energy is to make industries/people pay for the CO2 they emit. Then there will be a greater enthusiasm for a move towards solar panels and other clean energy sources since any fossil fuel guzzling equipment (including coal power plants and automobiles using gasoline) will be paying more to use them.
The cap and trade system for CO2 might do it. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emissions_trading)
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By: Brian L

Brian L — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:28:59 +0000

The amount of water on the planet is going to remain constant, always. On another note, solar panelling is definately not something that can be enforced or afforded. THEY SHOULD BE DOING MORE ABOUT MAKING NUCLEAR PLANTS! THEY ARE 10,000 TIMES MORE EFFECTIVE!
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By: sammer6494

sammer6494 — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:15:59 +0000

I personally think it would be amazing. As soon as we get out of this stupid war, maybe the government can put our tax money toward this, at least it would be effective. And isn't America to be the most advanced country (I personally believe it isn't)? WE should start a revolution. I'm trying, but being young, there's not much I can do. I propose a new hippie movement! I think that instead of long, we should do short hair. I'm personally cutting it about 3 inches long with rainbow tips. Just get out of bed, mess it up, ready to go! Anyway, I think you are completely right. It would cost more, but it would be better for everyone in the end. It should at least be mandatory in newly build buildings.
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By: Robert R

Robert R — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:58:59 +0000

Come on now we all know the Gov. wants you to spend all your money. But I like your way of thinking.
I have been working and adding on my panels for about ten years and each year I add on to them. This year I will be adding 3 more panels and at lest 2000 ah of battery’s.
IT will take about four years for pay off. I have 900 watts of panels at this time..

My Electric bill when I got this house 10 years ago run $175 per month. With the panels it runs as low as $12 and in the winter $85. the panels I get run around $200 each the battery’s are $65 each at most. But then we recycle tin and aluminum cans that pay for the battery’s.
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By: Mark B

Mark B — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:46:59 +0000

Well, let’s see. According to the solar website I just looked at, it would cost approximately $43,000 + installation cost to get a system that would power my house where I live. (using their sample data). My monthly power bill (electric + gas) is $200 or $2,400 per year. That would be just under 18 years to pay off the initial investment. BUT that $200 per month is gas AND electric. Just to be generous, let’s say that 75% is for the electric. That would make my annual electric cost $2,100 with a payoff time of about 20.4 years. (this is assuming free installation). Now, power costs are not static and that 20 years would be reduced depending on how much power cost rises over time, still this is a far cry from your claim of 8 years.

It would be pretty cool to have a completely solar powered home but I just don’t see the cost being justified right now.
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