PV as an investment [RE-wrenches]

john at gosolar.co.nz john at gosolar.co.nz
Fri Sep 7 16:35:32 PDT 2001


It's funny, I was going to bring this up as a topic on the 'Marketing' list -
how appropriate.  I too used to cringe when the term payback used to come into a
conversation.  Now, I turn it around and cooly ask them when was the last time
they worked out the 'payback' time on their fridge, their t.v, their car.  Like
Phil's comments about buying and maintaining a vehicle, it puts things in a
better perspective, and normally shuts them up.
I usually find that if they are only concerned about 'payback' then they are
doing the right thing for the wrong reason.

                                cheerio,                John V
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Phil Undercuffler wrote:

> I remind "payback" questioners that we think nothing of investing thousands
> of dollars into a vehicle that plummets in value the moment it leaves the
> dealer's lot.  We then follow that with huge investments in fuel, oil,
> maintenance, repairs--not to mention the "investment" in fighting wars in
> foreign lands to keep the pipeline open.  What is the payback on that?  The
> ability to go where you want, to do what you want when you want to.  Maybe
> not such a hot investment, but we all do it; we all take it for granted; we
> think nothing of it.
>
> In comparison, an investment in efficiency (the first and best investment)
> and/or a renewable energy system provides the ability to live just as
> comfortably as the neighbors without mining energy, emitting CO2, or damming
> rivers.
>
> When I prepare a solar thermal quote, I always give focus to the energy
> output of a system in terms of Btu of fossil fuel replaced each day.  I
> remind the client the REAL payback is fossil fuel that isn't mined, burned
> or released to the atmosphere, yet their house is still nice and warm and
> toasty.
>
> Again, we all make investment choices each day.  Those investments can be
> positive, or they can be the status quo.
>
> Enjoy the Sun!
>
> Phil Undercuffler
> Positive Energy
>
> "The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious....
> the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art
> and true science"  --Albert Einstein
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: William Miller <wrmiller at slonet.org>
> To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
> Sent: Friday, September 07, 2001 10:40 AM
> Subject: Re: PV as an investment [RE-wrenches]
>
>  installing PV (or any RE source) is
> > something one does not do just for the payback.  Installing an RE system
> is
> > a great hobby, it is promoting the industry, it allows one independence
> > from gouging producers (and its a great conversation piece).
>
> > At 08:55 PM 9/6/01 -0700, you wrote:
> > >Almost all of us have been asked "What's the payback?" and "Is it cost
> > >effective?"
>
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