| After recently reading a New York Times article, | | | | government, our solar power costs and |
| we started thinking about home panel solar politics. | | | | technology will always lag behind the rest of the |
| You see, although solar power is gaining popularity | | | | world. And as long as that happens, solar power |
| as a renewable energy solution for home, it will | | | | will never gain mass-market appeal in the US. |
| never become mainstream without the backing | | | | However, with the new change of government |
| from the federal government. | | | | there are 3 distinct factors taking place that give |
| A poll by the Nuclear Power Industry revealed | | | | us assurance that home panel solar power is |
| that the number one choice for generating power | | | | about to take off in America. |
| was not from nuclear, coal or natural gas, but | | | | 1 - The new president-elect Obama and his |
| from solar energy. However, at the time the poll | | | | administration is putting big coal and oil aside, and |
| was taken solar only provided for about 0.01 | | | | giving green technologies higher priority. |
| percent of America's power supply. Solar power is | | | | Furthermore, their new laws will help limit the |
| popular, but there's not enough investment! | | | | power and influence wealthy lobbyists have on |
| In Washington, where the energy policies are | | | | new energy policies. |
| signed, solar power lobbyists generally work with | | | | 2 - Some states, such as California and Hawaii are |
| small budgets in the tens of thousands of dollars. | | | | not waiting for Washington to pass the new |
| Now when you compare it to the tens of millions | | | | energy policies. Instead they are taking initiative. |
| of dollars that nuclear, coal, gas and oil lobbyists | | | | Governor Schwarzenegger's "Million Roof" |
| have available, you can only guess which energy | | | | campaign will not only create a new industry, but |
| policies gain approval by our beloved politicians. | | | | also lower global warming and create thousands |
| But when you look at countries like Germany and | | | | of jobs. |
| Japan, their government policies have increased | | | | 3 - And lastly, we, the home panel solar power |
| solar power implementation beyond what was | | | | users have the biggest role to play. All the energy |
| thought possible. With the support from | | | | policies and campaigns would be useless if the |
| government not only have the manufacturing | | | | population did not embrace solar power at home. |
| costs decreased because of economies of scale, | | | | But, from the poll and what was said by Mr |
| but solar technologies have also rapidly advanced. | | | | Khosla, that is not a problem. The America people |
| We know government regulation is not very | | | | are not only very interested in solar power, but |
| popular in America, where many of us believe our | | | | are also supporting it with investment. |
| capitalists markets should be left alone. But | | | | And although it can take years to pay off the |
| according to Vinod Khosla, a partner at one of | | | | solar power cost, people still invest. And when |
| the world's biggest venture capitalist firms - VC | | | | cost is a concern some are so interested in |
| Firm and major investor in green technologies: | | | | getting involved that they learn to make and |
| "...Market-driven improvements are not happening | | | | install their own home panel solar power. So, let us |
| fast enough to put solar technology beyond much | | | | continue moving towards solar and supporting the |
| more than a boutique investment". | | | | politicians and corporations who promote green |
| We agree with Mr Khosla. Until the American solar | | | | technologies. |
| industry gets backing from the federal | | | | |