I think that is a really flat excuse the government levels to perpetuate a harmful policy. We have to be ready to change and innovate, evolve. We can't keep destroying the planet to support the existing industries. And I am sure they will find a way to be a part of any new developments. And I would say that the current system is also financially impacting the greater population negatively although we have less clout. Wars are fought, pollution is pandemic...health concerns...rising costs..accidents.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/22/solarpower.windpowerThis is an interesting article I believe I saved about how a giant solar farm is going to be built in the Northern African desert, connected to a grid and distributed through Europe. I'm not sure how the Africans will benefit--as usual.
We have such blinding sunlight here in Florida, it is often hard to open our eyes outside without sunglasses. In the summer, we have afternoon rains. But the mornings are intensely bright, all the way till 5pm if the rains do not come in. I know much of the Midwest is bright during the summer as well. Even the snow albedo is blinding in winter there, when the snows come. In the winter, in Florida, we probably have more hours of sun as there is less cloud cover. Here, there is not the same area available as in Africa, although we are planning an experimental solar plant, I believe 250 megawatts? Most likely, the best application with known technology would be private homeowners and building owners.
Also, I was thinking about using the American deserts, or anywhere, as the Africans are planning. Perhaps Texas and Mexico, although in cooperation with the Mexican needs. Then connecting into the regional grid. With more research, I'm sure there are many advances to be made. Germany is way ahead of us and China will probably do the mass manufacture. Once again, we will miss the bus.
Many Southern Californian new build neighborhoods are built with solar panels connected to the grid. They send/sell energy in when the supply surpasses their needs and take from the companies when their supply is short. Even passive heating of water or space would help reduce CO2 emissions. I would like to see building codes enacted, and have written to my state government with no reply; but I keep trying. We have a lot of news about 2 controversial, proposed nuclear power plants, so there is attention being brought to alternatives to them in the paper regularly.
