“Here Comes the Sun Shower”
Feb 10, 2009 – Larry Hunter, a professor of physics at Amherst College, wrote an Op-Ed piece titled “Here Comes the Sun Shower” in today’s The New York Times. From prior posts on this blog you know that I have stated that conservation is the quickest way to reduce traditional energy usage in the USA. It is nice to have a physics professor confirm this. Professor Hunter states that, “Reducing energy use, after all, is the cheapest way to reduce our carbon footprint.” President Barack Obama’s program to develop renewable energy sources will attack this broadly by conservation, solar power, wind power, etc. Hunter points out that after conservation one of the most effective and efficient steps the government can take if to encourage the use of solar hot-water systems. He notes that solar water heaters are more efficient, easier to install, work better in partial shade, and have a shorter payback than photovoltaic systems. He notes that to heat enough water for a family of 4 one would need three 4×8 foot panels, whereas to generate enough electricity would require 11 panels. The cost for the water heating system would be about $10,000 whereas the electric generating system would cost about $40,000. He proposes changing the solar tax credit to $5,000 from $2,000 as that would shorten the payback period to 6 to 8 years from 13 years.
This proposal should be considered very seriously. Please leave your comments here.
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