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New Jersey Outshines Most Others In Solar Energy

Posted by timothy on from the cutting-through-the-haze dept.

An anonymous reader points out this CNBC story which says that "New Jersey—known more for its turnpike, shopping malls and industrial sprawl—has become a solar energy powerhouse, outshining sunnier states like Hawaii and Nevada. And it's largely because of incentives that make it cheaper for residents and businesses to buy and install solar power systems."

2 of 240 comments (clear)

  1. No, it's very, very expensive... by tomhath · · Score: 5, Insightful
    FTA:

    The savings is what got New Jerseyans Bob and Mary Keppel to install a 6-kilowatt solar system on the roof of their Cinnaminson, N.J. home this past summer.... The full price of the project, including installation, came to $48,000. Right away, the state sent a subsidy check for $10,500 that the Keppel’s signed over to the contractors to buy supplies. Using computer software, their contractor estimates that they will get a $11,250 federal tax credit this year. That would cut the total cost to $26,250, a 45-percent reduction.

    How do rebates "cut the total cost"? The system cost was $48,000 for a mere 6kw of capacity. It doesn't matter if the homeowners or the taxpayers foot the bill, it's still $48,000, that's not cheap by any measure.

  2. Re:So it's cheap... by NoYob · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Solar panels on roofs is an easier sell than big ugly windmills obscuring people's view of the ocean and lakes.

    Now, ask yourself, who are the people that live on the ocean and lakes? What kind of political power they have?

    Sounds absurd? See "Windmills Ocean Massachusetts Kennedy Martha's Vineyard"

    Big ugly industrial infrastructure that benefits society has a place: near poor people.

    --
    It's NOT me! It's the meds! I'm on 1000mg of Fukitol.