Solar Power

One of the constant refrains about the move to a more ecologically-aware energy infrastructure is that it will cost too much. Setting aside the costs of not doing anything, it is important to keep in mind that there are direct economic benfits from such a move. This PBPost article, for example, is about the Vote Solar movement and their contention that 85,500 jobs can be created in Florida from the adoption of a proposed requirement that 20 percent of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources by 2020.


But wait, you say. That means we'll all have to pay for solar panels. Maybe, but note the following from the article:

Yann Brandt, vice president of Advanced Green Technologies in Fort Lauderdale, said a typical residential solar power system costs from $30,000 to $40,000 to install, but that the homeowner receives $25,000 to $30,000 in federal tax incentives and state rebates.

So, there are significant potential savings to be had here. What's more, the Obama Carbon Cap and Trade program will fund a tax cut for Americans. It is conceivable that you can fund your solar system by the lowered energy costs and the tax cut - all while helping to employ your neighbor.