[quote=briansd1][quote=faterikcartman]
Brian, I appreciate your response and would only like to clarify that the attractiveness of solar isn’t just to avoid high electric bills but to ensure that I am able to continue to use the amount of electricity I choose to use — at any price — and at any time of the day.[/quote]

You might want to consider purchasing a battery array also to store your solar electricity, otherwise the utility company could still make you pay through different rates at different times of day.[/quote]

Great point. I had initially dismissed a battery array as an extravagant and unnecessary expense with high replacement costs. I am now reconsidering my earlier opinion. How things play out legislatively will likely influence our final decision. Time will tell.

There has been a call to legislative action tonight that does not include tapping other available fossil fuels or pursuing expanded domestic oil production. I assume nuclear will not be a favoured option either.

If it goes through, industries will be rocked, taxes and prices will go up, and the economy may be in even greater trouble. Uncertain times to be sure. I think solar will become very attractive to home owner’s with high energy usage profiles. Especially if they have the exposure for a large enough array and will be in the home long enough to realize a ROI directly.

Of course, water power generation faces crippling lawsuits by groups seeking to protect spawning fish and wetlands areas. Wind power generation faces crippling suits by NIMBY opponents and groups seeking to protect birds. Largely leaving solar — but have you seen the analysis that covers much of the country with solar panels and still not covering our energy needs? So either it fails, or we go back to donkeys and bicycles? These things sound great to many because people believe they can have their cake and eat it too. It is often too late once it is realized that this is not always possible.