Energy Policy Suggestion

[LeftHander]

All new construction is required to provide solar panel coverage as a percentage of the overall square footage of the space. Or as percentage of the estimated traditional energy usage of the building.

So if a building is 15,000 square foot warehouse they should provide "X"% of square footage of solar panels either deployed on the roof or equivalent moneys sent to a fund used to help retrofit existing low income homes that qualify for energy assistance.

Multi story high rises would pay into a fund to help place panels on homes in that area. Homeowners who agree to host panels on homes will get a tax credit in addition to energy savings.

Why can't a suburban developers be made to include a a few lots of solar panels and a small wind generator or two for every 100 houses they put up? Is that so outrageous?

The whole idea is to start to produce the energy when we build rather than just build and use more energy.

Home builders must provide new homes that have the ability to produce a percentage of the energy needs for the home by renewable energy sources (Wind, solar, voltaic and passive) 10% by 2010, 20% 2015...etc. (exact percentages would be needed to be worked out)

It is clear that new home building is already moving that direction in some states. But I think a federal program for public and commercial buildings in in order as well. A program that helps "mine" the vast untapped energy production potential of the millions of bare roofs across the country.

Builders and developers are simply not moving fast enough to make this happen.

Has WalMart or Kohls put any solar panels on their roof yet?

Thoughts ideas?

Lets be a think tank again here at DU rather than a over-reacting blubbery mess as we have been of late.

[XemaSab]

1. The challenge of solar production right now

is a severe shortage of panels. Also, processing the silicon into the panels is very energy intensive.

I think it would be easier to just design the wiring on new buildings so that panels can just be plugged in when they become available.

:hi:

[LeftHander]

3. Shortage is shortlived...

http://news.com.com/Solar+panel+shortage+to+continue+through+2006/2100-11395_3-6059579.html

New technologies coming online now are making panels cheaper and more efficient.

So I am not buying that argument. Just as flat panels at one time could not meet the demands of the consumers they are now ubiquitous and cheap. And those are much more difficult to manufacture than solar panels.

As demand rises (which it will) the technology will develop. When you think of it Solar Energy is like a field of gold with a thin film of dirt over it...people are going to get really wealthy as solar will replace oil, coal and gas one day....(that day is sooner that we think possible)

[garybeck]

4. NanoSolar will solve this problem hopefully. n/t

[jwirr]

5. Also there is a lot of new technology coming out just now. Germany

has a cell that is like a prism that sounds very workable. I agree that builders should be encouraged to do whatever is possible to create trends for the future but that should include all alternatives.

[Ron Green]

2. Absolutely. And if we had Al Gore (or someone with his vision and understanding)

as President, we'd have the leadership to bring about general awareness that sustainability of the earth and ourselves, not some bogus "war on terror," is the big issue.