SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : The Environmentalist Thread
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: JakeStraw who wrote (9720)2/23/2007 11:39:57 AM
From: LindyBill  Read Replies (2) of 36921
 
I would assume that after it becomes a viable energy alternative and competition enters the equation then it will become more widely available, acceptable and affordable.

That is always "assumed." Funny, it never works out that way. What the subsidy does is make it possible for inefficient producers to keep selling their overpriced product. There is no incentive to cut prices as long as the Government is subsidising it.

I, and the rest of the California companies in the Solar industry, sold Solar home hot water systems for an average of $4500 in the 80's that in an unsubsidised market would have sold for $2200. We got away with it by inflating the price to $6000+, giving the customer a $1500+ "rebate," and then having them take a $3000+ tax credit.

I had a 22 man telephone "boiler room" going and 10 to 12 "Tin Men" out there every evening closing sales. We would "stick" the deal the next morning by getting a crew out to install solar panels on the roof even before we had it approved. Tell the customer that "we were in the area" and had the panels on the truck. If it fell through, no big deal to pull the panels.

I was one of the more timid Owners. Some were selling them for 10K with a 6K rebate and a 5.5K tax credit. You do the math.

This kind of commerce is still going on all over the country. It would be hard to find a legitimate deal. And it makes for shoddy installs that don't work.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2026 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News