Going Solar
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| Also listed in: For the Future |
I am an Army Veteran of the 1st Iraq war. I am living on a veterans pension, which isn't much in this economy. I am trying to convert my home to solar power and am having difficulties. I have tried looking for grants, and if you are not representing a business or if you live in a metropolitan area, there is nothing available for you. I cannot afford the 20,000 to 30,000 dollars that it costs to purchase the equipment. We need to make the government understand that going solar isn't just for businesses. If everyone in my area were to convert to solar power, the price of our heating and electricity would go down significantly. Here in Oregon, Pacific Power buys the excess power that is created back from their customers. Also they must purchase this at the peak price, but can only sell you the power at the off peak rate. Right now 40% of our power comes from Coal, which in my humble opinion is just as bad as all of the carbon dioxide produced by vehicles. We need to make the government and "Big Business" listen and do what is necessary to convert the power grid to solar, water, and wind. Only by doing this will we really be on the way to getting off foreign oil or any oil for that matter.
There are now cars that can go 150 miles on a single charge at Hiway speeds. The Car Companies will not get involved in this because most are backed by the Oil companies. This particular car is called the Aptera and was built by an engineer in Carlsbad, California in his garage. If he can do this with his own funds then why can't the auto industry do the same?
There are now cars that can go 150 miles on a single charge at Hiway speeds. The Car Companies will not get involved in this because most are backed by the Oil companies. This particular car is called the Aptera and was built by an engineer in Carlsbad, California in his garage. If he can do this with his own funds then why can't the auto industry do the same?
Take Care,
Curtis Threats
You can expand you solar system as you can afford it. You can buy a control system that will handle what power you can generate and more, and when you exceed it's capabilities you can sell it and buy a more powerful one. You can buy one or two batteries every month, or add to your array of solar collectors once or twice a year.
You don't need those old panels that have to be oriented to the sun, you can buy the newflexible ones that lay on your roof like shingles. If you are serious, and are willing to use your money and not wimp out because no one will pay for it for you, you can build a viable system for your home in only a few years.
As for electric cars, you are correct, the technology exists and I believe they will be available at reasonable prices in only a few years. Until then, there are several good hybreda available now. None of them from American car companies, but Japan has come through and you can get one at your Honda or Toyota dealer.
The electric car you mention is not viable right now. I checked it out. They have only built a few of them, they are classed as motorcycles, which means you would need a motorcycle endorcement on your licence to drive one, and you can only order one if you are a California resident as they are not certified in other states. Add to that the $27,000 price tag and I think you will find there are many better choices out there even now.
I hope you will reconcider putting in a solar system. The one thing you can be 100% of is that energy prices will continue to increase. Photo Voltic solar sysems have been cost effective for a couple of years now and the technology is much cheaper and more user friendly than ever before. Go for it.