Dear Readers and Fracking Mafia Stalkers,
My solar panels were installed last week while I was in Austin and I’ve been too busy to even tell you about it.
To remind you: in installment #8 of my series, “Goodbye natural gas you dirty boy! It’s over between us!” I told you that Texas solar incentives are back through One Block Off The Grid so going solar is easy and affordable. My panels will offset approximately 50% of my electricity usage and lock in a low rate of approximately 3.2¢/kWh for the next 20 years.
During the 82nd Texas Legislature, a bill was passed so an HOA can no longer prohibit you from installing solar panels.
If you want information about going solar using incentives currently available in Texas, there is a lot of information HERE.
Update: Fracking not needed!
Life After Oil and Gas
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: March 23, 2013
“It’s absolutely not true that we need natural gas, coal or oil — we think it’s a myth,” said Mark Z. Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and the main author of the study, published in the journal Energy Policy. “You could power America with renewables from a technical and economic standpoint. The biggest obstacles are social and political — what you need is the will to do it.”
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
- Web |
- More Posts(5121)
Gorgeous. Looks like rooftops in California and Colorado.
can’t wait to read the first post after a major hailstorm strikes.
Thank! I love when you comment because it provides a great opportunity for me to set things straight.
First, the panels are flexible so it would have to be one hella hail storm to damage them.
Second, SolarCity is responsible for any malfunctions, maintenance or damage for the next 20 years. So, if they are damaged they will be replaced.
Third, oil & gas wells have horrible issues with storms.
Most solar panels are rated for 1-inch hail falling at 50 mph. After the catastrophic hailstorm in east Dallas last summer, I spoke with a solar guy for a news story. Truth time, you know.
Nearly all of the installs they had done in that area had survived just fine, including an install on one roof that was demolished, except for the part under the panels.
There are plenty of hailstorms in Colorado. Never stops anyone there.
🙂
http://azstarnet.com/business/local/big-pollution-risk-seen-in-rare-earth-mining/article_c604dd80-7a8d-5ab5-8342-0f9b8dbb35fb.html
Yea this seems like such a better idea. I wonder how many Chinese have cancer due to your solar panels, but oh we’ll NIMBY. I can’t see it from here. Please don’t bury your head in the sand. There is no free lunch. We need to CONSUME less. I have always lived by my grandfather’s advice. “The only way to save is to miss a trip once in a while.” But no one can miss out on anything in today’s world or it would not be unfair. Start railing against all dirty energy not just the one that pays your check. I don’t have the answers. I wish I did, but energy conservation seems to be a topic of the past. Just find a new way to destroy the planet to feed our unquenchable thirst for energy.
It’s funny, Katy, how you throw rocks at any industry but the one that pays your check.
You are right that there is no free lunch and that we need to conserve, which is something I mention regularly.
It seems from the article you posted, steps are being taken to address the pollution caused by rare earth mining. That’s more than I can say about the fracking industry. They fight every piece of legislation, even simple, common sense rules, that would clean up their operations.
Comparing solar panel pollution to fracking pollution is a weak argument especially when Greenhouse Gasses are factored in. The solar industry is working on the pollution issues.
For my investment, I’ll go with a renewable energy source rather than a finite one that is leading us off the climate cliff. The solar industry creates more jobs, more economic gain and less pollution. There is no contest.
This is a response for Katy.
Rare Earth Mining pollution is a big deal. It’s something that we needs to be addressed more seriously. The international community needs to put more pressure on China on this, but unfortunately, like Sharon brings up, it’s hard to coerce a nation to remedy their pollution issues while polluting our local towns and homes.
The next option is to bring more awareness throughout the demanding populus. The difficulty is that these rare-earth metals are not only useful for solar but almost every other electronic device we use. And we are addicted to gadgets as bad as we are addicted to oil and gas.
It’s a difficult situation that can put us into a state of paralysis. Personally, I have decided to help reshape the world economy by working in the renewable energy industry and helping others partake. Is it perfect? Absolutely not.
Energy Conservation is absolutely key, but cannot be the only solution.
Congratulations to Sharon and all those in the Dallas area who are making the switch to clean local energy.
-Marcus Joo
If you drive around in the gas patch, you will find that the fossil fuel industry is a huge user of solar panels at their well sites.
Congrats!
Thanks. When you move out of the fracking zone, maybe you can get some too.
They’re beautiful, Sharon! Congratulations!
Thanks!
Awesome!
But can you speak up, please? I can’t hear over the compressor right behind my back yard. It’s the loudest it’s ever been right now (always is louder after heavy rains). I used to love rain, now I live in fear of lightening…..since I live right next to 12 explosive gas tanks.
Pak152, what an ignorant comment. Yes, I’m sure solar panel manufacturers never considered hail before. D’oh!
Did you get a noise meter? Tim might have one. Take a video showing the noise level.
Getting one this week. 🙂
It’s almost unbearable tonight. It makes me feel so anxiuos and out of sorts. Tried loud TV or radio, neither help. I wish I had somewhere else to spend the night, there’s no room to escape it.
I have a guest room. It’s a long drive for you because I have moved out of the fracking zone but you are welcome.
Noise can take a serious toll on health.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your kindness. 🙂
If it was in my budget, I’d get a hotel room for the night. My daughter is lucky, she’s at her dorm. The semis have been in and out non-stop, the generator sounds like a freight train.
A video or photo of the noise meter is evidence.
I think we actually have two decibel meters, and you’re welcome to have one. We’re also going to be testing at your place coming very soon.
This will be great, Tim. Thank you!
Hey Tim,
I sent you an email about a consultation for your home from your previous inquiry! You were just outside of our normal service area — but we should be able to make it work.
-Marcus Joo
Lets not forget the meaning of RENEWABLE, you don’t burn it up and have to find more! Any pollution created from making solar panels is a ONE TIME event.
That’s a pretty convenient way to help save the planet, plus it only takes energy from the sun, pretty cool, Congratulations!
Your comment about HB 362 not allowing HOA’s to prohibit solar panels is in error. I just got denied the ability to install solar panels on my free-standing condo unit by the 3 members of the HOA board who just happened to live across the street from me. They cited it was for “aesthetics” reasons. Needless to say I was not happy about their decision and am trying to find an attorney to see if I have a legal position that would let me prevail.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/html/HB00362F.htm
The HOA has cited clause ‘e’ of in the house bill.
The TX Legislature did allow some loopholes in that bill but they are pretty narrow. You should fight this vigorously. The company that installed my panels attended meeting and advocated for my friend so maybe they will do the same for you.
Let me know if I can come testify on your behalf. I can probably round up a few others to testify.
During the 82nd Texas Legislature, a bill was passed so an HOA can no longer prohibit you from installing solar panels.