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To: Cogito Ergo Sum who wrote (41633)	11/17/2003 8:44:08 PM
From: Raymond Duray	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74559

KastelCo, Re: Solar To Electricity Solutions -- Solar currently costs ~600% of what grid power costs in more favorable climates. This is much better than it was 10 years ago, but it still makes solar a technology whose time has not yet arrived. The Eastwood article is simplistic in that it didn't indicate the cost for Eastwood to install his system. Most Californians find that their amortization period on solar-electrical systems is on the order of 40 years. Hardly worth bothering with, except for bragging rights at the Saturday night barbeque. The idea of providing tax credits for something so far out of economic reality seems to be a very poor choice for encumbering state finances. Much more sensible is the 1.5 cents/kWh federal subsidy that applies to all renewable energy sources. With wind energy now coming in at about 5 cents/kWh in the most favorable wind locations, wind has become economically viable. Wind is a real winner. Solar is still a quixotic hope. ********** Re: The actor and former mayor's Tehama Golf And Country Club boasts an environmentally friendly solar energy system that produces 32 kilowatt hours a day. Let's do the math. Assume that Eastwood's retail PG&E rate is $0.15/kWh. Assume 300 days per annum of sunny weather at the location. Assume installation cost per Kilowatt of potential power is $1,500. 32 x $0.15 = $4.80 per day x 300 days = $1,440/yr. income 32 x $1,500 = $48,000 installation cost Amortization $48,000/$1,440 = 33.3 years