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What's the Hangup with Solar Energy?
Rapid conversion is possible in Washington
opinion by Martin Nix
Let's ask the taboo question. What will it take to convert Seattle to
solar and wind energy quickly? Right now, the policy at Seattle City
Light (a not-for-profit electric utility) is to make all "future
additions of electrical power" from solar, wind and other renewable
sources. My proposal is even more forceful: match energy from Seattle
City Light, Kilowatt per Kilowatt, with solar and wind generated
energy within a few short years by forming a new utility, separate
from the gas, water, and electric utility.
Take a look at all the roofs, driveways, sidewalks and parking lots in
the area. There you will find all the solar and wind energy resources
we need. The amount of sunlight and wind energy falling on top of
parking lots can meet all our energy needs. The trick is to come up
with a cost effective plan that can tap that energy. By my
calculations, this need not be more expensive than building other
major public projects like the Seattle football and baseball stadiums.
Help individuals own renewable energy equipment
The purpose of the new utility would be to help businesses and
individuals own solar and wind energy equipment so they can bypass
their need to purchase electrical power in the first place. For
example, if you have a solar greenhouse (or a windmill) powering an
electric heater, the electric or gas furnace does not have to work as
hard and you don't have to purchase as much electrical power or gas.
I am proposing that a referendum be placed on the city ballot calling
for the establishment of such a new Sun and Wind Utility with three
distinct functions: 1) marketing, manufacturing, and selling of direct
current electrical power (as opposed to alternating current) from
solar and wind energy 2) installing, financing and selling solar/wind
hot water heating systems, and 3) promoting solar hot air systems,
like solar passive, solar greenhouses, solar skylights, preheated
solar-heated combustion air, wind powered hot water heaters, and wind
produced space heat.
This new Sun and Wind Utility would drought-protect Seattle. The sun
shines in the summer, during droughts, exactly when hydro dams do not
have rain. Solar energy tends to be very available in the summer,
while wind energy tends to be very available in the winter. Making our
homes and businesses more energy independent (and self-energy
producing) helps when there is a blackout, a storm, natural gas line
break, a drought, or when Texans want to rip us off!
Solar and wind energy can be integrated into hydro dam operations to
allow the dams to operate more fish friendly. The dams will have lower
lake levels, keep lake levels constant, and in effect simulate the
natural flow of the rivers. Solar farms floating on top of lakes
behind the hydro dam can help keep the water cooler for the fish, and
most importantly, will put power into the transmission lines when the
dam isn't generating power.
The good news is the technology for wind and solar energy is here. The
bad news is the capital to get these devices into mass production is
not here yet. The new utility would set aside funds for small and
local businesses to implement the retailing, installation, and
manufacturing of renewables; otherwise we will only be exporting jobs
out-of-state. Numerous local inventors with valid patents are not
getting the capital investment to get their products to market.
What we need are more devices that people can install themselves
without hiring an engineer. What we need are more factories to make
devices that are boxable, portable, quality, and easy to use and
understand. The state of Washington could be a Mecca for solar
manufacturing.
What is the hang-up? Simply put, those with the capital do not want to
finance factories to mass produce solar inventions. There are thousand
of patents worthy of capital investment, but rich investors aren't
interested. Energy is cheap--if you're rich.
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