"But why is it so expensive?" - It was the third person that weekend to come to my home show booth and ask that question. I wish I could talk to them now.
What I would say to them today, "If you think solar is expensive, you haven't thought about the Gulf enough."
Full Disclosure: Four years ago, I started a business installing wind and solar electric systems. In those four years the solar business has taken off.
What we are seeing in the gulf is an environmental disaster beyond any we've seen. It is hard to imagine the long term implications to the planet. The sad thing is that this was avoidable. Immediately avoidable had BP done things right, but avoidable 30+ years ago when Jimmy Carter was President.
I'm old enough to remember Carter wearing a cardigan sweater and telling us to turn down the thermostat. Why would he do that? Because he saw the insanity of Oil. He saw what it meant to our economy, world peace, and what it meant to the planet. It's too bad "I told ya so" doesn't help.
In my despair, I've been twittering (@TheEnergyMiser)short sarcastic, bitter, angry etc tweets... I'm hoping that reading these tweets will get people to think about oil in their lives and how things might change as we move to a more sustainable source of energy.
When I build that new house, will I put the solar storage tank in the basement?
When solar runs low at my house, will the solar delivery truck show up and fill my tank?
If you think Solar Power is expensive, you haven't thought about the Gulf enough.
Dump a few barrels of vinegar into the Louisiana marshes, and we'll have one fine salad.
Trying to imagine the lyrics to the Beverly Hillbillies theme song if Jeb discovered solar power instead of crude.
Where would we deploy the military to protect our solar interests?
When will solar site visits qualify for an exploration tax credit like oil exploration does for oil companies?...
The oil spill if it happened at the location of Cape Wind. http://bit.ly/...
Read "The Tragedy of the Commons" and think about the Gulf. http://bit.ly/...
Another Solar Spill in MA today. Birds getting sun all over their feathers. Beaches drenched in sun. Horrific.
How would we plug a solar leak?
Will they run double hulled tankers around the world carrying solar energy?
If we go all solar, think of all the low paying gas station attendant jobs that will be eliminated. How can that be good for us?
Just wondering how long it will take for the spilled oil to make it to the Gulf Stream, then the North Atlantic?
If solar spills on the gulf, do we have to spend billions to clean it up?
Who would come on TV to apologize for a solar spill? Would Rachael Maddow deliver a scathing commentary?