An example of a "centralized solar" model
Example of a community with a "distributed solar" model
With solar power now priced at around $1.00 cost-per-watt (cpw) the average homeowner can purchase an entire solar panel system for approximately $5000. Given most could not install themselves, hiring a contractor may cost an additional $1.00 – $1.50 cpw. At the “top-end” a typical homeowner should only have to pay $12,500 for their home’s solar powered electric energy. More than likely you will produce more energy during the day than you use and need at night (so long as you’ve purchased an adequate kilowatt amount) you could quite possible have a zero (depending on size of system) electricity bill every month. This model is called a “distributive energy” model.
So why hasn’t solar power really taken off in the U.S? Why would anyone want to wait for the model of choice by utility companies – a “Centralized Energy” model. In doing so, wouldn’t utility companies create a model where they would continue to reap their enormous profits? However, by purchasing your own distributive energy solar-system as outlined above, there would be very little room for profit by the utility and coal companies etc., when it comes to electricity powering your home. So by waiting for your utility company to build some giant solar utility-farm which will provide “everyone” with the wonderful benefits of solar power, where do you think all the money will go – wisely back into your pockets or unwisely and continuously rising back into the hands of the status-quo, Big Oil?
Tell Us – What Do You Think?
The US Capitol complex is getting an energy face-lift – it’s getting a cogeneration plant that will generate electricity and create steam to heat the campus.
