Comments on: Joe Biden to Solar Power USA With P.A.C.E. ‘Recovery through Retrofit’ Berkeley First Municipal Financing http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/ Clean Tech News & Views: Solar Energy News. Wind Energy News. EV News. & More. Sun, 28 Dec 2014 06:27:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1 By: Andrew Thornburg http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-15709 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:04:55 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-15709 Could not agree more…

]]> By: Mike B http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-7694 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:29:52 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-7694 It sucks this is not available to me in Florida.. And the Power companies here are anti solar and pro nuke… they suck

]]> By: Mike B http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24727 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:29:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24727 It sucks this is not available to me in Florida.. And the Power companies here are anti solar and pro nuke… they suck

]]> By: Mike B http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24728 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:29:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24728 It sucks this is not available to me in Florida.. And the Power companies here are anti solar and pro nuke… they suck

]]> By: Mike B http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24729 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:29:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24729 It sucks this is not available to me in Florida.. And the Power companies here are anti solar and pro nuke… they suck

]]> By: Ed http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-7693 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:57:18 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-7693 I’m from Chicago. We get plenty of sun out here. Even in the winter! Let’s not forget that this program is great for individuals like myself, entrepreneurs, who want start a solar contracting business and create JOBS in this new industry. Its not just jobs for installers this creates new jobs for accountants, salesman, advertising, marketing, etc… sound familiar for those of you “out of a J.O.B”. This is a win-win-win situation. More green jobs- less pollution(less diseases)/prevent global warming -offset electricity bills. Who’s complaining!?

]]> By: Ed http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24726 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:57:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24726 I’m from Chicago. We get plenty of sun out here. Even in the winter! Let’s not forget that this program is great for individuals like myself, entrepreneurs, who want start a solar contracting business and create JOBS in this new industry. Its not just jobs for installers this creates new jobs for accountants, salesman, advertising, marketing, etc… sound familiar for those of you “out of a J.O.B”. This is a win-win-win situation. More green jobs- less pollution(less diseases)/prevent global warming -offset electricity bills. Who’s complaining!?

]]> By: Roger Roster http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-7692 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:16:28 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-7692 I strongly believe that for us in the US, alternate forms of energy is where we should be heading. However nothing should be adopted without adequate debate and discussion. Its time consumers and citizens read up on energy efficient technologies, renewable energy sources and how the implementation of these will benefit consumer. After all its they who pay the bills. One site that has been specially informative has been the Pacific Crest Transformer website.

]]> By: Roger Roster http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24723 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:16:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24723 I strongly believe that for us in the US, alternate forms of energy is where we should be heading. However nothing should be adopted without adequate debate and discussion. Its time consumers and citizens read up on energy efficient technologies, renewable energy sources and how the implementation of these will benefit consumer. After all its they who pay the bills. One site that has been specially informative has been the Pacific Crest Transformer website.

]]> By: Roger Roster http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24724 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:16:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24724 I strongly believe that for us in the US, alternate forms of energy is where we should be heading. However nothing should be adopted without adequate debate and discussion. Its time consumers and citizens read up on energy efficient technologies, renewable energy sources and how the implementation of these will benefit consumer. After all its they who pay the bills. One site that has been specially informative has been the Pacific Crest Transformer website.

]]> By: Roger Roster http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24725 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:16:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24725 I strongly believe that for us in the US, alternate forms of energy is where we should be heading. However nothing should be adopted without adequate debate and discussion. Its time consumers and citizens read up on energy efficient technologies, renewable energy sources and how the implementation of these will benefit consumer. After all its they who pay the bills. One site that has been specially informative has been the Pacific Crest Transformer website.

]]> By: Susan Kraemer http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24721 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:24:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24721 @ Chris. Heh. You may be right about the tipping point comparable to 1934 FHA founding. Ya gotta problem with that?

]]> By: Susan Kraemer http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24718 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:11:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24718 Actually Chris, given that solar just dropped like 40% this year and after the Federal tax credit of 30% (now that’s a subsidy!) most systems are about $15,000 to $25,000 to zero out your use. Then if you get 1Block off the Grid in your neighborhood, even less: http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/10/22/neighborly-solar-from-1bog-could-raise-phoenix-property-values/

I did solar estimates for a living as recently as this Spring (PV and solar thermal), and agree about solar thermal being great bang for the buck, and essential first recourse, as I wrote about here…

http://greenbuildingelements.com/2009/03/06/consider-a-new-measure-of-carbon-footprint/

..every home should have solar thermal, but again, it is covered with subsidies (30% Federal tax credits) and relatively cheap.

]]> By: Susan Kraemer http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24719 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:11:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24719 Actually Chris, given that solar just dropped like 40% this year and after the Federal tax credit of 30% (now that’s a subsidy!) most systems are about $15,000 to $25,000 to zero out your use. Then if you get 1Block off the Grid in your neighborhood, even less: http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/10/22/neighborly-solar-from-1bog-could-raise-phoenix-property-values/

I did solar estimates for a living as recently as this Spring (PV and solar thermal), and agree about solar thermal being great bang for the buck, and essential first recourse, as I wrote about here…

http://greenbuildingelements.com/2009/03/06/consider-a-new-measure-of-carbon-footprint/

..every home should have solar thermal, but again, it is covered with subsidies (30% Federal tax credits) and relatively cheap.

]]> By: Susan Kraemer http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24720 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:11:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24720 Actually Chris, given that solar just dropped like 40% this year and after the Federal tax credit of 30% (now that’s a subsidy!) most systems are about $15,000 to $25,000 to zero out your use. Then if you get 1Block off the Grid in your neighborhood, even less: http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/10/22/neighborly-solar-from-1bog-could-raise-phoenix-property-values/

I did solar estimates for a living as recently as this Spring (PV and solar thermal), and agree about solar thermal being great bang for the buck, and essential first recourse, as I wrote about here…

http://greenbuildingelements.com/2009/03/06/consider-a-new-measure-of-carbon-footprint/

..every home should have solar thermal, but again, it is covered with subsidies (30% Federal tax credits) and relatively cheap.

]]> By: Chris Johnson http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-7691 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:05:59 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-7691 In response to Susan’s insights and trenchant jab, in reverse order:

No, ma’am. I got no problem with any of it. In fact I think it’s wonderful. And hopefully, merely a first step.

I would greatly prefer that VP Biden and his troops extend the terms of the program to cover the capital costs for any/all sustainable energy upgrades, retrofits and ‘new house’ construction for wind power, solar thermal, and geothermal / hydronic systems. The goal should be, I believe, to achieve a ‘zero energy footprint’, or as close to zero as possible. Ditto (especially in drier places) for water re-use / conservation systems that have a significant up-front costs. Why favor one method over another in this green pursuit?

Your colleague Zachary Shahan posted an article on 20 October that parsed the ‘market’ problem; why hasn’t solar caught on? It’s a pretty good article, but one has to wonder what he would have written if he’d waited a week or two. Would Mr. Shahan have appreciated the ‘tipping point’ nature of this new policy? Did the NYT or WP? Nope, no coverage!

If one asks why there’s been so little coverage, perhaps the answer is that the President and his staff recognizes that they have many balls in the air right whose political viability remains undetermined, therefore risky.

‘Where you stand on an issue often depends on where you sit’ is an old Washington saying. You in California have somewhat different perspectives and a much more supportive set of state ‘incentives’ that has propelled solar power for more than here in Virginia, where solar is not nearly so popular.

Other than that, Ms. Kraemer, I bow to your superior knowledge of the solar industry in general and your expertise in these issues in particular. And I look forward to enjoying your articles in the future.

Cheers.

]]> By: Chris Johnson http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24722 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:05:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24722 In response to Susan’s insights and trenchant jab, in reverse order:

No, ma’am. I got no problem with any of it. In fact I think it’s wonderful. And hopefully, merely a first step.

I would greatly prefer that VP Biden and his troops extend the terms of the program to cover the capital costs for any/all sustainable energy upgrades, retrofits and ‘new house’ construction for wind power, solar thermal, and geothermal / hydronic systems. The goal should be, I believe, to achieve a ‘zero energy footprint’, or as close to zero as possible. Ditto (especially in drier places) for water re-use / conservation systems that have a significant up-front costs. Why favor one method over another in this green pursuit?

Your colleague Zachary Shahan posted an article on 20 October that parsed the ‘market’ problem; why hasn’t solar caught on? It’s a pretty good article, but one has to wonder what he would have written if he’d waited a week or two. Would Mr. Shahan have appreciated the ‘tipping point’ nature of this new policy? Did the NYT or WP? Nope, no coverage!

If one asks why there’s been so little coverage, perhaps the answer is that the President and his staff recognizes that they have many balls in the air right whose political viability remains undetermined, therefore risky.

‘Where you stand on an issue often depends on where you sit’ is an old Washington saying. You in California have somewhat different perspectives and a much more supportive set of state ‘incentives’ that has propelled solar power for more than here in Virginia, where solar is not nearly so popular.

Other than that, Ms. Kraemer, I bow to your superior knowledge of the solar industry in general and your expertise in these issues in particular. And I look forward to enjoying your articles in the future.

Cheers.

]]> By: Susan Kraemer http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24712 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:57:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24712 Peak is 1PM to 6PM actually: the afternoon air conditioners at offices. For this reason in our Feed in Tariff – PG&E offers the highest rate from 1PM to 6PM on weekday afternoons. The sun is the problem, and the best solution.

]]> By: Susan Kraemer http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24713 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:57:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24713 Peak is 1PM to 6PM actually: the afternoon air conditioners at offices. For this reason in our Feed in Tariff – PG&E offers the highest rate from 1PM to 6PM on weekday afternoons. The sun is the problem, and the best solution.

]]> By: Susan Kraemer http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/21/joe-biden-to-solar-power-the-usa-with-berkeley-first-municipal-tax-assessment-financing/#comment-24714 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:57:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=3777#comment-24714 Peak is 1PM to 6PM actually: the afternoon air conditioners at offices. For this reason in our Feed in Tariff – PG&E offers the highest rate from 1PM to 6PM on weekday afternoons. The sun is the problem, and the best solution.

]]>