Solar power creeping up little by little

[Jersey Devil]

In my area, Bergen County, NJ, I recently began seeing solar panels on telephone poles in neighboring communities, then in my town. You drive down the street and there are no panels and a few days later drive by again and presto, they are on the poles. I was wondering what they were and just found out they are part of a program by PSE&G, the power company serving this area, called "Solar 4 All", under which the power company plans to install (and own) 80 MW of solar power by 2013 by the installation of about 200,000 solar panels on poles throughout the area. They will be owned by PSE&G and connected into the power grid so while consumers will not see a direct benefit from them they should benefit indirectly through lower power generation costs. They also have plans for solar gardens, building top solar, ocean wind farms, replacing mercury-vapor street lights with fluorescents, etc.



http://www.pseg.com/family/pseandg/solar4all/attachments/July2909Solar4allrelease.pdf

I think these energy companies realize the days of fossil fuel generated and nuclear power are numbered and slowly but surely are moving towards the future.

[plumbob]

1. Yep. When major players like Duke Energy get into the wind generator

business (and they are), the writing is on the wall.

Good.

[Bluerthanblue]

2. little by little

it is happening.

K&R

[Thunderstruck]

3. I've noticed extensive use of solar panels on new traffic control systems,

especially those around schools. This is even in the presence of grid access.

This is a good thing.

[ixion]

4. which proves that solar power is not merely academic

And the reason its being stifled in the marketplace is so big energy can get their systems in place.

[Jersey Devil]

5. I just signed up to be contacted by them re solar power for a non-profit

organization I belong to in our town. Our biggest monthly expense is gas & electric, last month over $1,700. Since we are installing a new roof (flat roof facing south, unobstructed sun), we think this would be the best time to look into it. They offer subsidies and low interest loans for installation for non-profits.

[MH1]

6. bingo. nt.

[Uncle Joe]

7. I believe you are correct.

I imagine this is why Republicans oppose increased government funding of renewables, they want the big fossil corpse to get grips on it first.