Comments on: Why We Need More than Rooftops to Win the War Against Climate Change

By: Susan Kraemer

Susan Kraemer — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 07:10:42 +0000

Actually, we live in a post-advertising world. Unlike the ’50s when everyone tuned in to the same 3 networks, and got the same news and the same ads, now people use adblockers on the Internet and don’t bother with TV or newspapers and so many live in a no ads world, – so this concept of a solar PPA is completely new to most people.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:58:33 +0000

Welcome to the world of cold calling. Going door to door isn’t the easiest way to make a living, that’s why they invented advertising! LOL

By: Susan Kraemer

Susan Kraemer — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:00:38 +0000

Hey, Ormond! That is a big life change for you, then?

By: brublr

brublr — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 06:04:32 +0000

Here’s some very good news on that front.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100928092841.htm

A total game changer:
“Ultra-thin solar cells can absorb sunlight more efficiently than the thicker, more expensive-to-make silicon cells used today, because light behaves differently at scales around a nanometer (a billionth of a meter), say Stanford engineers. They calculate that by properly configuring the thicknesses of several thin layers of films, an organic polymer thin film could absorb as much as 10 times more energy from sunlight than was thought possible.”

By: Charles

Charles — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 04:06:04 +0000

I’d like to see a total committment to rely on solar energy source (wind included) but most of us non-engineers overestimate how much power from given size of installation can provide.

“Wall-to-wall” wind turbines and solar panels are not going to appeal to most, which would be required if we are to maintain our life style, including largely wasteful energy use.

Our economic wellness in the West has been made possible by consumption based economy. Products fabrication using enrgy obtained by oxidizing ready to pick “low hanging fruit” of nature provided carbon compounds energy in the form of forest woods, coal, crude oil, natural gas.

One thing is important to remember; we’ve been living in a world of unrealistic expectation regarding economic prosperity. I think that we’re facing a future of more modest expectations, and that I can easily accept.

By: Ormond Otvos

Ormond Otvos — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 01:22:32 +0000

Depressingly true. I also try to encourage free solar, and the list of excuses is endless. Not reasons, excuses.

By: alex

alex — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:08:11 +0000

I was just at an energy conference this weekend. One of the things they mentioned is that we’ll never be able to replace our current energy use with renewables or solar if we don’t find ways to cut our (wasteful) usage. they gave the lightbeam coming out of luxor casino as an example since the beam alone would power 2500 homes.
Also mentioned was that you don’t need to put solar panels on every individual home since not everyone has an ideal solar location. a better way would be a community installation at a more solar friendly central location like the rooftop of a school, and it would feed power to everyone at reduced utility rates while also being cleanly powered. the only problem is it takes actual WORK and PLANNING. unfortunately most people are lazy or just don’t care so nothing will ever get done.
TBH i think that is the main problem with the energy question is that every individual/organization/government is looking to someone else to solve it, when the answer lies with each and every one of us and our ways of life. no one is willing to change for the greater good.

By: NO BAMA IS GOOD BAMA

NO BAMA IS GOOD BAMA — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:02:01 +0000

Just another stupid HATE the BAD EVIL REPUBLICAN NAZI FASCIST RACIST BIGOTED GLENN BECK propaganda from a left wing crack pot fan of king OUMGABONGA and RACHEL MADCOW
And yes I would gladly put a solar roof on my home as soon as I can make it work.