How far behind will the US fall in transitioning to a new economy and new energy technologies? Compared to many nations we are already looking like the past, even Bangladesh now has 870,000 homes on solar power. Most are not on a grid but stand independent. Sure at most they run 3 lights a TV a radio a phone charger, but a few have multiple panels and also run more.
The point is, this is possible, and it is secure against hackers or utility failure and air pollution, and the electric cost is zero for 20 or 30 years. Imagine a home, or business, knowing it's energy costs are flat for decades at a time, with this knowledge you can make accurate financial plans.
It's very frustrating, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAnd just how would GE make billions then?
ReplyDeleteIts amazing how we have the largest and most powerful source of energy in the galaxy over our heads and cannot figure out how to harness and use that energy for our future because we have big oil and big electric running Washington.
So? Mandate that all new construction have solar power. The Republicans will screeam about BIG Government and MORE regulation. Obama will talk about the jobs that the solar panels are creating and the energy savings.
ReplyDeleteAnd, we will be stuck with the same old, same old....
We need to vote them fuckers out!
Sarge,
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised at you, didn't you intend to write "We need to vote those fuckers out!"?
Red Skeeter,
ReplyDeleteWell put, how can we insure GE will make hundreds of millions? After all the new US model of capitalism clearly can only provide the poor with jobs if the plutocrats are able to increase their advantage over others. Even maintaining their current elevated status can not be sufficient to benefit the lower classes. Only exponential growth is healthy or so the markets harp. Anything short of this will result in poverty for the masses.
NAC,
ReplyDeleteFrustating! New forms of energy technology has been a roller coaster for decades. Every time we are about to put the new idea bulb in, someone kicks down the ladder and everyone forgets it, another few years of cheap energy, then panic again. Now again, but this time it's real. Around the world wind, solar and other forms in dozens of configurations and scales are at last very near the same cost as carbon sources of energy, and this even with the subsidies being about 8 to 1 in favor of carbon sources. (not counting 1 trillion $ to keep an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf since about the Carter adm.)
But this time it is going to happen, at least in nations with forward seeing governments and public. Much of Europe, some locations in Asia, and spots here and there it is like a rocket, a rocket we are not on. We will eventually do this, but instead of building and using this technology, we will be mostly buying and using it, as most manufacturing and knowledge of it resides outside the US to protect our oil and coal industry, and it's congressional minions.
As soon as the Electric companies complete their R&D to provide electric service to every home from solar and they get congressional approval to be the only US "Solar Purveyor" so they can charge us for sunlight, we will all have solar panels.....
ReplyDeleteAnd I bet you think I am joking !!!!!
TAB,
ReplyDeleteI know your not joking, and I know it is probable. Their R&D expense is going to be smaller than you imagine, mostly partner with the Chinese to import the equipment. I will be glad if they can supply clean energy. I do wish it would be from new sources with new ideas and without the good ole boy connections.
Them - those - Who cares? They have to go...
ReplyDeleteSarge,
ReplyDeleteNo doubt as you indicate, many don't think, or think, there is nothing to learn from the fact a few people in a backwater are jumping from no technology to a higher one.