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• Terri Adams commented  ·  Jun 09, 2009  ·  Delete

  I fear the answer is: Because if consumers can produce their own energy, the Utility Companies would be out of business, and we ALL know, that will never happen.

• koko99 commented  ·  Jun 09, 2009  ·  Delete

  Good points. However, most households can reduce their consumption by quite a bit more than 3 kWh/day by replacing a few lightbulbs, adding insulation and caulking around doors and windows. We should start with the easy stuff.

• ericwaynedavis commented  ·  Jun 09, 2009  ·  Delete

  According to various estimates, average household electrical consumption is about 24 kWh per day. If a home is equipped with only 100 sq-ft of photovoltaic panels, and assuming about 3 hours/day of effective sunshine, the offset would be about 3 kWh. This is a 12.5% reduction in daily electrical consumption.

  If panels were installed on every home in America, the 12.5% reduction would be increased even further. Every kWh not produced would push back into savings on delivery of fuel to power plants, reduced maintenance and operating costs for power generators, etc.

  Why don't we stimulate this industry by providing substantial financial incentives for both property owners (single or multifamily) as well as the companies that produce, install, and maintain these systems? Why can we not also create federal requirements that all new construction be equipped with solar panels?

• EPS commented  ·  Jun 09, 2009  ·  Delete

  Some solar panel providers & suppliers are installing panels on a lease or rental basis, so that the homeowner does not get stuck with large up-front costs, but the supplier benefits from the reduced. There should be an incentive for that to happen more.

• fcmroberts commented  ·  Jun 09, 2009  ·  Delete

  We also need to find a way to get renters involved. This is tricky. The building owners have no incentive to lower electricity or gas use, because the renters pay the bills. But the renters have limited or restricted abilities to make permanent improvements to their homes.

• DG commented  ·  Jun 09, 2009  ·  Delete

  WIll there be a model zoning enabling legislation for states to allow solar and wind access. Also geothermal will require a certain amount of space and access. We need revised zoning and subdivision regulations to allow wind and solar access.