citizen wrote on Oct 22, 2007 3:15 AM:These fires were caused by downed transmission lines. Does any other argument need to be made in favor of home solar systems?

ditto wrote on Oct 22, 2007 6:45 AM:Amen ! From another citizen.

What if wrote on Oct 22, 2007 10:38 AM:The CPUC allowed SDG&E to build the Sunrise Powerline and we're hit with a similar fire in a couple years? Would we be facing widespread blackouts as well as loss of property and lives?

RJ wrote on Oct 23, 2007 9:31 AM:We are already facing widespread blackouts. The environmentalist NIMBYs will not allow any new power plants or transmission lines to be built. Perhaps we should underground future transmission lines? The undergrounding of transmission lines would be prohibitively expensive. Even if we did commit to undergrounding the Sunrise Powerlink I'm sure the environmentalists would find some objection to that too. And just where am I supposed to get the money to retrofit my home with solar? My roof is constructed of 1 X 6 boards covered by comp. shingles and can not support the weight of solar panels. How do you suggest I proceed with my solar retrofit?

Reggie wrote on Oct 23, 2007 10:22 AM:It is still uncertain what caused these fires, let us not point the finger on downed powerlines just yet. You can start blaming the Santa Ana winds...

Citizen wrote on Oct 23, 2007 11:18 AM:RJ: The Sunrise Powerlink would have been knocked out in this fire. Where are you supposed to get the money to retrofit? You can begin by taking advantage of the Federal tax grant of $20,000 and the state grant of $8,000. Then you could tap the $50,000 increased equity if you need more. New composite materials technology, developed because of lift-off weight considerations on the Space Shuttle are available off the shelf. And new, sheeting manufacturing techniques will enable solar shingles lighter that cardboard. But even now you can get a 2kw system spread over a hundred square feet. Even 1X6 on sixteen inch headers can support the 6.5 pounds per square foot. And Reggie, I'm not pointing fingers. Downed power lines were cited as causing the fires by three seperate municipal and state fire agencies.

RJ wrote on Oct 23, 2007 3:46 PM:That's a $2000.00 federal tax credit, not a 20K tax grant. In order to qualify for the $2000.00 tax credit I still have to have the cash up front to fund the entire solar system. Where do I go to apply for the $8000.00 state grant?

RJ wrote on Oct 23, 2007 5:04 PM:All transmission lines including the proposed Sunrise Powerlink are vulnerable to fire, which is exactly why we need redundant transmission lines and multiple power plants feeding the San Diego power grid. I think solar is a great idea but I still don't think I can afford to install a system with the current tax credits and incentives in place. Furthermore, I don't think solar alone can supply our energy needs for the future. We also need to increase power generation and transmission capacity.

San Diego Greedy Extortionist wrote on Oct 23, 2007 8:46 PM:SDGE should be held liable for these fire damages. They KNOW they were placing polls in a dangerous area where Santa Ana Winds could knock them down! Now they want to put more of them in our backcountry! Ludicrous!! They get away with murder! Lives are at risk but they don't give a damn. Greedy b's! Developers should have been REQUIRED to put solar on houses long before now. Support the technology and the prices will come down. Support SDGE and lives, homes, and pets are lost. Hard choice? NOT. Hold SDGE resposible for not properly maintaining their lines. They own them! They caused this fire! Winds don't cause fire, falling power lines do!

Dennis wrote on Oct 23, 2007 10:36 PM:I'm for the SunRise Pwr link it's a good sence move, I'm woundering if all the acess Roads for a Project would allow Fire Trucks acess they need in time of Fire, PS thru the desert there is not enoughf fule to spark a big one I think most tress are shorter than the new towers would be.

Back Country wrote on Oct 30, 2007 9:14 AM:High Voltage lines conduct with heavy smoke and the lines actually cause sparking on the line, igniting more fires along the line. Firefighters where hendered in fighting the Pinnicle Peak Fire in Flagstaff due to high power lines. DO WE REALLY WANT THIS IN OUR BACK YARD SAN DIEGO !!!

Anahuac wrote on Nov 1, 2007 6:22 PM:There ARE alternatives that will work. For a thorough review of a viable plan that costs far less see the Smart Energy report 2020 ... The technology out there is better than the orchestrators of this line would have you believe. Why destroy the back country for technology that will be obsolete in 35 years. Consider the analogy: For what you paid for a calculator 35 years ago you can buy a whole computer tied to the internet today. And think how much is really at stake. --your freedom being tied to the grid and all of our freedom being tied to Opec. How far will "they" go to keep you there?