The NCT announced recently that the local solar industry is booming ("Area warming to sun power," Jan. 5), thanks to nearly triple the residents who used cash to invest in solar panels last year.
While 2008 threatened to mark the end of helpful incentives and rebates (and yes, that did serve as an urgent inspiration to some, including my family, which purchased a SunPower system) now, more homeowners are looking at the best deal yet with a whopping 30 percent federal tax incentive starting this year, along with a state rebate.
As reported earlier, this means a $30,500 system set to meet the annual electrical needs of a 2,000-square-foot home actually costs around $16,500. With a life expectancy of 30 years and an estimated payoff period of nine, buyers get more than 20 years of clean, close-to-free electricity! (There is a small fee to stay hooked to the grid.)
Residents are ready to reach into their green pockets when the right opportunity comes along, whether it's renewable energy or more-efficient automobiles.
My family attended the San Diego Auto Show recently where, unfortunately, big names in the designated green zone were not very green at all. New American-made hybrids boasted only 27 miles mpg. An electric vehicle made back in the 1970s received attention because it looked like an airplane that's 30 years old. The most noticeable switch on the floor was a sweet new color palette offered on the usual gas-powered cars. A promising new plug-in Mini Cooper was a no-show and the main reason we attended the event in the first place.
My family's timing was off again -- having purchased a Mini Clubman weeks before the announcement that leased plug-ins were on the way. When we inquired about the absence of the mini-plug-in at the show, we were told that the lithium battery requires more testing, and I wondered how the hybrid Prius took to the road for purchase as fast as it did with its new battery years ago?
Curious consumers with green pockets left the auto show unimpressed with yet another limited car-buying year. It's frustrating being a green consumer, inextricably linked to this partnership of industry delays, government agendas and science having to work things out.
It's time for consumers to speak up and show some power.
We need legislation that encourages homeowners to produce excess solar power to be sold back to the grid. Industry suggests consumers buy smaller systems when more clean energy is needed. Congress can help fix this lost opportunity. We must also put power lines underground and update the grid to support locally produced renewable energy.
Consumers want to spend what's stacking up in green pockets. The solar industry certainly gained favor locally. Just think what we could do to improve our economy, environment, energy needs and national security if citizens were invited to support more green technology.
Mary Oren is a Carlsbad resident.
