Reply #75: NYC_SKP

[bluedawg12]

NYC- SKP-

Thank you for the reply. It helps put things into a big picture. Eenergy and the costof energy are big issues and on the minds of regular folks I hang with on the inter net- not a political group, but very aware and paying attention. It just exploded into a hot discussion today, on the heels of shrubco and McSame's move to repeal off shore drilling.

>>Provided the homeowners have stable jobs, didn't get a stupid sub-prime loan, haven't maxed out their home equity and have reasonably good credit and aren't being particularly hard hit by gas prices (an these are big provisions in some regions), the chances are that they could qualify for a 30-year equity loan for a system, the monthly payment for which would come close to their electricity bill. This at current energy prices. <<

There has to be more to court the average middle class homeowner than a break even proposition for solar. I wish the environment and CO2 emissions would register enough to motivate the extra work entailed in such a conversion to solar.

>>Absolutely a matter of concern. A homeowner in some regions might have to install twice the capacity as someone in a sunny area. In this case, the investment recoupment period would be twice as long, say 16 years instead of 8---under current energy costs (shorter under rising energy costs), after which their electricity is FREE of cost and of carbon (yeah!)<<

Yes, that would be a selling point. But keep in mind that most home owners now a days actually move every couple of years. So, there would have to be some nation wide conversion. And, yes, theoretically it could add value to the house–but, that’s theoretical to many people.

>>See above. I know of a gentleman in Boston with solar on his townhouse, he was featured in one of the Discovery or History channel programs. Look into Germany-they are further North than most of America and get less sunlight.<<

True a friend just came back from a trip to Germany and marveled at the number of solar panels in use.


“Hope this helps, and I hope president Obama gets real with energy....we haven't had leadership in that area since Carter.”

You betcha! Another four years of the repugs drilling our way to madness won’t do.

Thanks, appreciate the info.

And it is not going to waste- I am trying to spread the good word to folks on an entirely different forum– based on science fiction themes, all are bright, interested and involved, some dems and independents and just a sprinkling of RW’ers to say dumb things to be a foil against environmental issues. But mostly–many voters and potential voters for Obama, also many women voters. So, I try to do a passable job of getting out the message.


Thank you!



-Dawg