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Yes, there are still many things left out. For example insuring the purchase forever. While it's likely to be added on to homeowners, the cost must be considered.
Also, if you invested $100k at 5% interest for 10 years you would earn $27k. So that $27,000 loss must be calculated in.
This would be the main reason business aren't touching it. Looking the interest issue I'd say solar panels might need a 5 year break even time frame before they are viable for profit.
Most solar panel companies estimate a 10-15 year wait to get your investment back. I think close to 15-20 is pretty realistic once you consider the loss of revenue from interest.
I'm all for people that have money to burn buying them. I just disagree with trying to trick people into thinking they are a good investment financially. While eco people like Al Gore don't like them, there are some multimillionaires out there that do.
only thing is, that 5% is assumed, and can't be obtained without taking a certain level of risk. i don't think it's a matter of trying to trick people into thinking it's a good financial investment. but if you look at the data, it's not a bad financial investment. it's just not a great one yet. everyone knows that they are still expensive. everyone knows that companies are working on ways to produce them more efficiently, and at lower cost. this is what happens with every technology as it becomes more advances. it starts out expensive, and then starts to drop. we'll see. i think it's a matter of years before this approaches a 5 year break-even point for a regular consumer.
" . . .Nissan doesn't have anything to brag about here, either (and it didn't avoiding any mention of the Leaf sales in its press release). Why? Well, back in January, the company sold 87 Leafs. In February? Just 67 (http://www.nissannews.com/newsrelease.do?id=2295&mid= - broken link). Where does that leave us? Well, here's the big scorecard for all sales of these vehicles thus far:
Consumer Reports didn't give the leaf a good mark either. A lot of the problems discussed here are coming to light, especially the issue with temperature and performance. Also, it was mentioned that the accuracy of the usage gauge was unreliable showing large discrepancies in these varying climates.
As some have said, these vehicles are for enthusiasts and fad buyers. Basically what they were before the green movement tried to force them on the market. Difference is that now, they are trying to use government to force people into impractical decisions.
Feeling a sharp pain as you pump the contents of your wallet into your fuel tank? Gasoline prices are headed to $4 a gallon, and some experts are predicting $5 a gallon before the end of this year.
Methinks people who are cheap will use the "gas prices heading up" card to buy one of these toys...
For the rest of us it's business as usual...
I have my car paid for and have minimal insurance.. I buy one of these toys and between car payments and full insurance coverage I expect I'll be paying at least $500.00 a month for it....
So lets see, gas at $4.75.00 a gallon will cost me roughly $150.00 more per month.
???????????
From a dollar and cents point of view makes no sense...........
And for every Leaf sold in America that's saves our environment the Chinese add 100 gas powered vehicles.
" . . .Nissan doesn't have anything to brag about here, either (and it didn't avoiding any mention of the Leaf sales in its press release). Why? Well, back in January, the company sold 87 Leafs. In February? Just 67 (http://www.nissannews.com/newsrelease.do?id=2295&mid= - broken link). Where does that leave us? Well, here's the big scorecard for all sales of these vehicles thus far:
mostly, with the leaf, "Sales" are slow because Nissan is failing to deliver the vehicles on time. there are 100s of people waiting to take delivery of their leaf when it arrives at the dealer. i don't think sales are as dismal as these numbers show.
I don't mean to bring up an old thread but I need to say something about all the speculation that I've read on this thread; if you haven't drove it, been a passenger in one or have read a full-detailed analysis about it, then your bickering only makes you look inane.
the concern over the minute level of mercury in CFLs (which are easy to dispose of safely) is a fear tactic...why people use it, i'm not sure. LEDs are the better option though. CFLs were a bridge to LEDs.
i take all my CFLs to home depot, where they recycle them. except, i have only thrown away a handful of them since i started buying them 5 years ago!
as for the leaf...battery technology will improve. this is the first mainstream electric vehicle (even though they've existed for over 100 years). advances will happen quickly and dramatically.
How were CFLs a bridge to LEDs when the technology of both are nothing alike? A CFL is more akin to an incandescent than an LED. The D stands for diode - a piece of silicone; something a CFL lacks.
Before Cleanup
. Have people and pets leave the room, and avoid the breakage area on the way out.
. Open a window or door to the outdoors and leave the room for 5-10 minutes.
. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning (H&AC) system, if you have one.
. Collect materials you will need to clean up the broken bulb:
o Stiff paper or cardboard
o Sticky tape (e.g., duct tape)
o Damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces)
o Glass jar with a metal lid (such as a canning jar) or a sealable plastic bag(s)
CLEANUP AND DISPOSAL OVERVIEW
The most important steps to reduce exposure to mercury vapor from a broken bulb are:
1. Before cleanup
a. Have people and pets leave the room.
b. Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor
environment.
c. Shut off the central forced air heating/air conditioning (H&AC) system, if you have one.
d. Collect materials needed to clean up broken bulb.
2. During cleanup
a. Be thorough in collecting broken glass and visible powder.
b. Place cleanup materials in a sealable container.
3. After cleanup
a. Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials outdoors in a trash container or
protected area until materials can be disposed of properly. Avoid leaving any bulb
fragments or cleanup materials indoors.
b. For several hours, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the
H&AC system shut off.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | December 1, 2010
2 of 3
Cleanup Steps for Hard Surfaces
. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and
paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag.
(NOTE: Since a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s)
from the home after cleanup.)
. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place
the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels in the glass jar
or plastic bag.
. Vacuuming of hard surfaces during cleanup is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all
other cleanup steps have been taken. [NOTE: It is possible that vacuuming could spread mercurycontaining
powder or mercury vapor, although available information on this problem is limited.] If
vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken glass, keep the following tips in mind:
o Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
o Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if available; and
o Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag/vacuum debris,
and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic bag.
. Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a
trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly.
o Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your area. Some
states and communities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local
recycling center.
. Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing bulb debris
and cleanup materials.
. Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off, as
practical, for several hours.
Cleanup Steps for Carpeting or Rugs
. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and
paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag.
(NOTE: Since a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s)
from the home after cleanup.)
. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place
the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
. Vacuuming of carpeting or rugs during cleanup is not recommended unless broken glass remains after
all other cleanup steps have been taken. [NOTE: It is possible that vacuuming could spread mercurycontaining
powder or mercury vapor, although available information on this problem is limited.] If
vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken glass, keep the following tips in mind:
o Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
o Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if available, and
o Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag/vacuum debris,
and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic bag.
. Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a
trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of properly.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | December 1, 2010
3 of 3
o Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your area. Some
states and communities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local
recycling center.
. Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing bulb debris
and cleanup materials.
. Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off, as
practical, for several hours.
Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rugs: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming
. The next several times you vacuum the rug or carpet, shut off the H&AC system if you have one, close
the doors to other rooms, and open a window or door to the outside before vacuuming. Change the
vacuum bag after each use in this area.
. After vacuuming is completed, keep the H&AC system shut off and the window or door to the outside
open, as practical, for several hours.
I love this. The government overreaches and then releases crap like this because of their actions.
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