Home » blogs » Teshi Gigabite's blog

Solar Biz

Submitted by Teshi Gigabite on 15 November, 2005 - 3:06pm. Planet Earth Blog

The article “Solar Power Biz Heats Up,” is discussing solar power energy. We all know that our energy sources are on the down slope these days and people all over the world are trying to figure out what do about it. The article makes stabs at what solar power does to taxes, investments and even supplies to households.
On a normal circumstance I would be all for the notion to help the environment and find an alternate way of energy. But not this one. They say that tax incentive at the state and federal level and a boom in construction have boosted the solar energy industry in the past year. Well good for them. Well, who is paying for this? I believe we are. We get these panels on these house they build. The cost of installing solar electric systems is high. This is keeping me and many homeowners from buying the systems. The article says that tax breaks have been promised for people who put in the systems. However, who’s to say that the cost of the tax break is even worth the system being put in. Let’s see… $2000 for the tax break versus $20,000-30,000 for installation. I do not think so. Except, the system is supposed to pay off in the long run. You don’t have to pay for energy bills. How long will that take. The rest of your life. Instead you will be paying off the installation of your brand new solar electric system, sitting on top of your house. Just waiting to get destroyed by a tornado, thunderstorm, or some other disaster. Who besides High Economic Status families can afford this feature anyway? And even if all of those people purchased, installed and operated the system, it still would not make a significant difference. Plus, not everyone needs the panels. Someone who lives in Hawaii would benefit more than someone who lives in Seattle. The article mentioned that the demand for polysilicon, which is generated from refining quartz or sand and growing into fine crystalline ingots, has been rising rapidly. This is used to make the key component photovoltaic cells. This would make the prices go up in the near future. People who buy this system better like long term investments. Plus, why would they even use something that will probably run out quick or make the prices go up soon? Just like life, the prices just keep going up! Japan is currently the best known manufacturer and leading supplier of photovoltaic panels (rooftop panels). I think that we need to find out why it is working so well over there. As for the article, they also decide that maybe the best solution is to wait. They think that some power conduction plastic can be incorporated in to portable devices. This will be launched in the near future. That will be a whole lot cheaper to make and to sell. Plastic is wonderful. If plastic does not work we should all just go back to when there was not electricity and sit in the dark with candles. It was all much more simpler back then! One comment that I think is a little confusing that could leave people to discuss is, “That’s where our largest increase in energy demand is coming from: the iPods and cell phones and portable devices we carry.”

http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,68840,00.html?tw=rss.PLANET

» Teshi Gigabite's blog | login or register to post comments |

TRIAL AND ERROR

Submitted by chagar on 17 November, 2005 - 3:09pm.

It is difficult to say which innovation will overtake gasoline as the dominant fuel favorite. So far hydrogen, nuclear, and solar energy technology are evolving and changing, trying to become safer and cheaper to use. It is inevitable that gasoline will be replaced, however. New innovations are expensive now, but at the rate of their production cost alternations, more synthetic fuels will replace natural fuels in regards of being the cheapest. Of course synthetic fuels will be more plentiful than natural fuels because they are manufactured.
Natural fuels are depleting and it does not look like a new natural source will be found. Scientists and inventors, or whoever places the patents on the discovery of a new marketable and bankable fuel, will become “filthy rich!” This new fuel will be “eaten up” by millions of people almost all at once, due to the downfall of natural fuel. These scientists and inventors will continue to make strives and changes in order to become the doorman to a new era in transportation; especially when there is going to be a willing mass acceptance to a more plentiful and cheaper fuel!

» login or register to post comments

It's worth a try

Submitted by d valdez on 17 November, 2005 - 2:23pm.

I understand that these solar powered systems can be expensive and not very efficient for saving money. I know not every middle class person can afford them, but I believe the part of the population that actually can afford it should strongly consider installing one in their home. People with larger incomes tend to have larger homes which use more electricity. Just think, if a few of the ridiculously large mansions in California ran off solar power it just might make a difference. I don’t believe every American should install a system like this but some should, not only to save money for themselves, but to help conserve the diminishing energy supply left.

» login or register to post comments

Maybe it is worth it...

Submitted by alexgrinaldi on 17 November, 2005 - 2:05pm.

Ok, I understand that the financial situation seems like a bad idea to start off with, but I also know that if you produce enough electricty from these panels, energy companies will pay you to use it. So it could be making you money to install these and saving you money in the long run. What if I did this and then my kids decided to move into the house? They would never have an electric bill and would be getting paid to have solar panels, which seems like a benefit more than anything. I think that these are a good idea and saving the environment is worth it.

» login or register to post comments