Solar Energy

[nikki7]

I have recently begun researching renewable energy sources and have come to a great conclusion. I'd appreciate some feedback if you will.

I live in FL and grew up in CA - both sunshine states. CA has been on the solar wagon for some time - with little success up until recently.

Solar has come a very long way. However, it is still rather expensive. Energy companies are fighting the renewable energy with a fierceness that can't be denied. WHY??? Profits - or loss of profits I should say.

Right now in FL you can purchase a Solar system for your home and connect to (some of) the electric companies grid and do what's called "net metering" or "net Billing". Net metering in laymans terms is basically an exchange program with your solar panel production and your usage from the electric company. You produce electricity and your power company grid goes backwards - if you need electricity from the power company, it goes forwards. If you produce more than you use, you get a credit. Power companies don't like to give credits!!! Even though they are "Technically" buying renewable energy from you - they still just lost your monthly profit. So it's not a win for them!!!! You can understand why they are fighting this! Every customer who goes Solar means 1 less customer they make a profit from. CA has already change their net metering programs to 1/4 to 1 credit or exchange rate because so many Califorinians are going Solar!

Net Billing is a whole other thing they designed to avoid having to give credits and still figured out a way to make money off the solar customer even though they are producing their own power.

I have questioned a gazillion power companies in FL and CA to see where they stand with both States mandated Energy Bills. California must go 20% renewable by 2010 and FL by 2020 (Fully complied by 2050). Most are not talking. Will this be another electric car fiasco? Where we already had an electric car that was due to an emmissions mandage years ago that has been taken away by BIG CAR COMPANIES AND BIG OIL?? (watch the movie "who killed the electric car) Remember, Energy companies buy Oil for some of their production.

Oh, and BTW FPL which is a large Florida Power company is currently in San Diego trying to build a large scale Solar Power Plant and has worked out a contract with San Diego and parts of LA for the contract rights to sell them their electricity when it's completed!!! That's right...a FL company in CA instead of working in it's own backyard to make energy more cost efficient for Floridians. But then, they have never worried about cost efficiency. Just how much profit. And guess who is footting the bill for FPL over in San Diego? FPL customers. Our rates are projected to increase 3% or more per year for the next 5 yrs.

So, I guess my question is. When will the everyday consumer get the break they need? When will the everyday consumer finally realize that the possibility to have free or almost free electricity in 10yrs is going to be taken away very, very soon by the BIG ENERGY companies if we don't do something collectively now.

Feedback anyone? I could go on and on, but since I'm new, I better stop. LOL

[Conspirasist]

Hi nikki7. Welcome to these forums. Hope you like it here.
It's been pretty dead around here lately so i hope that doesn't
steer you away from here. It will pick back up, eventually.

Well. It certainly looks like you did your homework. I wouldn't know
what else i could add to that. I could tell you what i think about
it though.

Basically, america i set up like one big business. If you happen to
come across a device that would totally stop your dependence on
public electricity, that would shut these power companies down.

If you shut power companies down then workers get fired. In turn,
unemployment rates go up.

Of course though, you already knew that.

Anyway, that is why power companies are fighting this type of
renewable energy. The main reason being that they would lose
big bucks and they just aren't willing to give that up.

I've heard that we have had the technology for many years now
to create a device that would make us americans totally independent
from the power companies but big government / corporations have
put a stop on this device just so that they all can continue making
their millions.

Until the government decides to do the right thing and put people
ahead of profits, then this is the way it will always be.

The government has deep underground bases all over the usa and
you don't think their going to run a power line from a pole and into
the ground to connect their underground cities do you?

I'm sure they are using this free renewable energy right now to
power up those cities.

It's alright for them to use it but not us.

[James Lewitzke]

Welcome to the forums Nikki

I'll try to give you a better answer within a few days when I'm feeling a little better, able to comprehend, etc.

[James Lewitzke]

I would have to say the consumer will NEVER get the break they need. Sure, we have agencies like the EPA or the FDA to supposedly "protect" us, but I don't see much happening over the energy crisis in the near future. Once we run out of fossil fuels and natural coals, etc. is when we will we receive our big wake up call.

Then we won't have a choice but to look at alternative fuel sources like solar power. I wouldn't be surprised at all if by that time they change from "big oil" to "big solar", as money will always be the motivating force behind their goals.