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“I've seen quite a lot more Chinese manufacturers coming into the marketplace,” said Dan Sullivan, head of Sullivan Solar Panels in Mira Mesa. “It's somewhat disconcerting, since we've had a profound opportunity to capture this market and create more American manufacturing jobs.”
Since we have lost a third of our manufacturing jobs, don't you agree that we should be manufacturing our own green energy alternatives?
They didn't want to invest in our energy independance, the oil companies just wanted to keep us dependant on them, and increasing their profits. They just have a good slogan so that people think its the only way.
If we loose on green energy, we are in real trouble.
While true, there's more to it. The article addresses China's low labor costs and low environmental standards. China additionally pegs the Yuan to the dollar in an effort to boost exports.
Do you support the absolution of unions, minimum wage and EPA regulations to increase our competitive advantage and exports?
Sorry, just isn't a feasible energy alternative when looking at dollars and cents. Installation of solar panels usually outweighs any cost savings from traditional energy over the service life of the panel itself. Meaning, you won't make your money back. We still have cheap energy here in the US and until that changes, or until the panels are cheaper... its going to stay that way.
At least with solar in the southwest, we never get an electric bill. Some people would rather buy solar equipment than fancy cars, or flatscreen tv's. I am all for solar. Passive solar hot water tanks out here are painted flat black, and placed behind glass. Hot !
At least with solar in the southwest, we never get an electric bill. Some people would rather buy solar equipment than fancy cars, or flatscreen tv's. I am all for solar. Passive solar hot water tanks out here are painted flat black, and placed behind glass. Hot !
And most likely, the investment isn't paying off using solar panels.
Instigate countervailing tariffs to negate the price differential due to labor and environmental costs. The revenue could be used for energy research.
Then we would be dealing on a level basis. When we see how well the tariff is supporting domestic production apply it to the rest of the cheap Chinese junk being imported. This would require more Americans be hired at prevailing wages and their salaries would allow them to buy more American goods. Everyone wins but the Chinese and their Wall Street financiers.
Peggy Anne - I have wondered if a couple of black 55 gal metal drums in a clear plastic enclosure would get hot enough to use in a shower or washing machine.
In the context of the solar industry, this lack of a coordinated clean energy strategy is made even more remarkable considering First Solar, a world leader in solar manufacturing, is an American company.
Whether the clean energy race is considered rhetoric or economics, the writing is on the wall of solar panels, although it may be written in Chinese if the United States doesn't take action to adopt a long-term, cohesive clean energy strategy.
Sorry, just isn't a feasible energy alternative when looking at dollars and cents. Installation of solar panels usually outweighs any cost savings from traditional energy over the service life of the panel itself. Meaning, you won't make your money back. We still have cheap energy here in the US and until that changes, or until the panels are cheaper... its going to stay that way.
It depends what you use them for. In general, I agree with you. However, solar panels are effective if you are just using them to heat water. I looked into this and the life of the a vacuum tube type installation is around 12-14 years with payback after around 6 years.
Solar powered lighting is also very effective for landscape or driveway lighting as you don't need to run cables. I was buying solar powered spots from Home Depot for just $20 each.
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