Fossil fuel and renewable energy subsidies need parity

Published on April 28, 2011 by Dan Hahn.
Categories: Environment, Infographics.

According to a study by the Environmental Law Institute, U.S. fossil fuels industries enjoyed direct federal payments totaling roughly $18 billion between 2002 and 2008. Of course, that doesn’t include the $54 billion in tax breaks.

Over the same time period, subsidies to renewable power producers totaled just $5.5 billion.

Now, the government included corn based ethanol as a “renewable source” of energy which is frankly maddening, considering more fossil energy is used to produce ethanol from corn than the ethanol’s calorific value.

Really, the graph should look more like this:

I just watched Bill Ritter, Colorado’s former governor, debate a couple fossil and nuclear industry knuckleheads. He valiantly pushed for solar energy adoption and enhanced legislative efforts on a recent intelligence squared debate:

http://www.vimeo.com/20896432

While the two coal and nuclear advocates fired away at the premise of ratepayer subsidized renewable energy, he spoke calmly regarding the enormous benefit the solar industry has had on Colorado communities, jobs created, and clean energy served up. I couldn’t help but have the following stream out of my mouth as I watched:

“Ratepayer subsidized solar?! Aww that’s terrible!!, I take it you’re much more comfortable with TAXpayer subsidized coal and oil, right?”

April Is National Solar Quote Month Again, Damn It!

Published on April 22, 2011 by Tor a.k.a. "Solar Fred".
Categories: Affordable Solar.

Solar Fred is a bit, shall we say, impatient. I’ll admit it.

The fact is, I’ve been devoting my being, sweat and beer money to spreading the word about solar power affordability for the last two or three years. And yet, still, I meet somebody new who loves, loves, loves (loves!) solar power for their home, but, but, but—

—And there’s always that “but—”

They tell me, “But, it’s too expensive.”

Solar Fred: Really? How do you know?

Person who could be you: Because…that’s what I’ve read/heard/seen on Fox news.

Solar Fred: Would you like to prove that it’s too expensive?

Person who could be you: Like, as in, facts?

Solar Fred: Like, as in getting a quote once a year to test your theory? If you’re right and it is indeed too expensive, then you’ve lost an hour or two of your time with the nice installer person coming to your home, checking out your shading, and giving you a free quote. My apologies, but at least you know the facts. But if you’re wrong, then yeah, baby! You’ve always wanted to go solar, and now you realize you can afford it! Good solar times are comin’.

Now, just to be fair, you, dear doubting solar enthusiast, may not be entirely wrong, even this year. That is, the affordability factor depends on your utility, your state, your roof, and how you finance solar.  All the more reason to hit us up for a free internet solar quote through our partners at One Block off the Grid.

Another reason why solar is more affordable today is that there are some great new 0-down solar leasing and solar power purchasing agreement (Solar PPA) programs that let you go solar for nada up front and still allow you to save 10-20% off your electric bill.

Yet another reason the home solar life is good today: Solar panel prices have come WAY down in the last two years, so installers are often passing those savings down to you.

All this is to say, give Solar Fred a break, and give yourself a break:  Once a year, say every April, get a solar quote for your home. Benchmark yourself.  If you’re not surprised and tickled that solar is affordable this year, just you wait until next April and get another free quote.

Then, one year soon—if not this year—you’re going to say, “Holy sugar shacks! Solar is affordable. …But I knew that.”

Enough said.