THSCC Forums

I have a serious problem with solar farms. People seem perfectly willing to bulldoze trees to build them, which is bad. Put them in the desert or on buildings, fine. But not where trees used to be, sheesh.

I think there are places where wind could be safely harvested without hurting the environment, but all over the place sure isn't the answer. In the ocean? Are you kidding me? Seems crazy, and nobody is figuring in the cradle to grave cost of removing those things when they are defunct, either. How many bridges are at the NC coast now that were decommissioned and still sitting out there looking hideous? A lot. *sigh*

I'm with Jason on not understanding why the cost of solar panels hasn't come down significantly. I will say that they have made progress in the output they can provide, so that could explain some of the cost increase. But they aren't light years better than they were 10 years ago, so it's still a bit curious. It sure would make sense to be able to put that kind of thing on rooftops that are "doing nothing" anyway.


--Donnie

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My Blog

Solar panel pricing is an enigma. Just silicon after all. Should it not be closer to Moore's Law? In the my grad school days in the last century I did some research with a prof who had grants to develop solar selective absorbers - not much progress there either.
I work with a guy who just bought a place in Philly. He's installing a solar power system on the roof. The MSRP is $40k but after the tax credits, power company incentives, etc. he figures his out of pocket is about $8K which makes for a reasonable payback period. He also had to fight with the HOA, but apparently a federal law trumps what HOAs can do.

Frank

OK, what would I do with the CFC money? If it must have to do with vehicle polution and/or economy, then I would have spent it on no out of pocket cost or low OOP cost grants to low income people to replace or repair their poor performing older vehicles (putting the money where it is most needed). Instead of destroying OBDII vehicles that are within parameters under the CFC exchange them for ones that can't be repaired for less than the 4500.00 under the guidance of a NFP volunteer group similar to Habitat for Humanity. Even a lower ecomomy vehicle that is operating efficiently is less poluting than an old Datsun or Econoline with a worn out engine.
If it could be used for anything, then I would reinstate the income tax deduction and even add a credit for credit card and personal loan interest. It's criminal the way that the near monopoly credit card issuers are jacking up interest rates on credit granted under a much lower rate agreement with the card holder.
Since those "contracts" can be thrown out at will by the banks (who were bailed out with those same cardholder's tax money) What is to stop them from doing the same with instruments such as morgages and business loans? What if you suddenly received a letter in the mail from your morgage company saying your 6% fixed rate morgage was being jacked up to 27%? It's not that unusual for people to have accrued more in CC debt than the balance on their morgage.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

I completely disagree, or maybe I'm not understanding and need clarification. This proposal sounds like American taxpayers would foot the bill to reward those individuals who are most financially irresponsible, for being financially irresponsible.




Apples and oranges - while a mortgage really is a contract, a credit card agreement is anything but. Read the fine print on any credit card agreement, and you'll quickly see all the marketing fluff offers no real guarantees to the consumer. Credit card companies typically offer low interest rates for a very limited timeframe, obviously for one reason - to attract new customers.

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Keith Q.
2008 Top Gun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmX8XuZ_DCo&NR=1

I know what I'd do with the money!

Lower taxes and let people figure out what the best way to spend their money is.

If I've got to do something to try and help the environment, then I'd focus on public transportation infrastructure.

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2012 MX-5 Sport SUV

You and Scott should run for Office together.

Vote Johnson&Johnson in 2012!!

Wonder what party you guys would run under...

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Problem is that not spending the $4B wouldn't lower taxes at all since I'm pretty sure that entire $4B was just deficit spending anyway. *sigh*



But the people don't want it and won't use it. Americans are spoiled by their cars and won't give up the convenience and flexibility they offer easily. And there really are, IMHO, just too few places where it's feasible anyway for it to do more than make a small dent in our bigger problems.

I'd love to see a study on ways to improve moving goods around more efficiently. I'm betting bigger gains could be made there than could actually be realized with people moving.


--Donnie

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My Blog

generators and awnings for everyone!

Good idea, I changed my answer. They should spend $4b on I-540 in Western Wake county. This will reduce time in transit and reduce the burning of Evil Fossil Fuels.

Mmmm love Pork Barrel projects.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

That's underway AFAIK.

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Yeah but the government isn't paying for it. It's going to be a toll road

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

OK I have reported most of you to flag@whitehouse.gov for obvioulsy spreading mis-information about the C4C plan I know this is only to be used for Health Care mis-information... but I figuted why not...



http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts...ubborn-Things/

"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."

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David Teague
2015 Lexus IS 250c
1994 Honda Del Sol HS 39
2009 Dodge Journey R/T
http://teaguefamily.us

Is it wrong of me to send an email to "flag" because Barry repeatedly gives disinformation to the American people? :popcorn:

hopenchange

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

as an American citizen Wes, it is your right to send any e-mail you wish. or at least it should be.

i wonder if this administration will brand people as Un-American for speaking against the current decision making process?

ahh.... selective memory loss, thy name is politics.


on a side note, marketing geniuses the Dems are not.


but then again Rush has played the Nazi Card. i swear some days i just want to move. far, far away.

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BenchWarmer Motorsports

another one of those damn LeMons heads

just another Chump

we are an Autocross Club Dammit............

They already have branded the demonstrations and the folks who have asked "disruptive" questions at the scheduled town meetings on heath care as "un-american" Politics as usual.

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2004 C5(415whp,390ft/lbs),
1997C5,1997Trans Am, 1986 C4,
1990 Miata, 1976 MGB,1997 Protege, 1989 MR2