Anti-solar attitudes (was Calif. fires) [RE-wrenches]

Sun Nov 9 16:18:45 PST 2003

Joel and Matt,

Isn't it amazing that there actually IS a segment of society that is
anti-solar, wind, etc.? I recently attended a county supervisor's meeting
that featured a very vocal opposition to the installation of a Bergey Excel
"10" kW in an agriculturally zoned area. The opposition was plainly as NIMBY
as it gets - no valid arguments against, they just plain didn't want to see
a windturbine on the offending property.

This group had approached me (as a knowledgeable wind guy) to write an
opinion expressing the view that there wasn't sufficient wind resource in
the area to warrant the installation of a turbine. They offered to pay me to
do this. I actually had to make a decision to back the project, in spite of
a marginal wind regime, because of the very real possibility that denying it
would or could have created a negative precedent for future similar
installations in the area.

The issue for the NIMBYs wasn't the performance of the machine at all; it
was purely their perception that it would somehow detract from the "pristine
rural character of the area" (which it isn't) just by being there. I have
encountered similar attitudes toward PV from people who feel the same as the
ones opposed to windturbines; they just don't like the looks of the
technology. The combination of suspicious utility people and ignorant NIMBYs
can be one hell of an obstacle for our businesses to deal with.

None of this has anything at all to do with burned-out neighborhoods but it
has a lot to do with a certain element or elements that might monitor this
list looking for good negative ammunition for possible use against projects
or equipment, and I can readily see why Matt L would warn against giving the
wrong impression or one that could be misinterpreted by these people. After
all, if someone with the experience and perceptiveness of Matt can read
something iffy into Joel's message, just imagine what the Dark Side can do
with it! On the other hand, I think it's great to hear positive AND negative
feedback on the equipment we use. That's one of the cool things about this
list.It would kind of suck to have to tell only the good stories when it's
the bad ones that can be the most valuable. IMHO

The other Matt

                  ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joel Davidson" <joeldavidson at earthlink.net>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 11:57 AM
Subject: Re: California Fires and PV [RE-wrenches]

> The PV system was working fine because neighborhood power was restored by
> hard-working Southern California Edison crews. The utility work crews were
> gone, but firefighters were patrolling for tree roots still smoldering. We
> saw a lot of hand-painted "Thank you for saving our home" signs. On the
> return trip south on Interstate 15 to Interstate 10, we did see large
> sections of high voltage power lines burned down but no crews working.
>
> Regarding people not being on "our side," for many years we have observed
> mild to strong pro-solar support from PV system neighbors, utility field
> workers, firefighters, police, building inspectors and the general public.
> The few people who express anti-solar attitudes often change when their
> views are made public. Very few people want to be known at anti-solar or
> against energy self-reliance.
>
> I have a few pictures (nothing morbid) that I can share with wrenches who
> contact me off-line.
>
> mlafferty at universalenergies.com wrote:
>
> > Joel D. et al.:
> >
> > >  The PV system was working fine.
> >
> > Please excuse the "Devil's Advocate" in this, but I believe it is
> > important.... We can never be too sure "who's watching"... Well, I can,
> > to some extent, and please believe me when I say, "They are not all on
> > 'our side'..."
> >
> > Based upon your obviously positive observation that the "system was
> > working fine", which I am glad to hear personally and professionally...
> > As a "Devil's Advocate", I am left to wonder.... "If the rest of the
> > neighborhood was "destroyed" (most unfortunate), and the PV Systems are
> > "working fine", why is the Utility Electric Supply still "up and
> > running"?  Shouldn't Utility Supply to the neighborhood have been cut
> > off?"
> >
> > ('Utility Guy' Perspective): "Seems to me that, if homes are burned to
> > the foundation as portrayed in the media, that would include the PVC
> > Electric Service Risers & Conductors... We would have turned off 'the
> > switch' to allow for reconstruction.  Sounds like an 'Island' to me.
> > These things aren't as 'safe' as they are advertised to be.  Hmmmmm.
> > Maybe we should have a closer look.... Etc. Etc."
> >
> > Your message, to the "un-initiated", could and may be taken as such,
> > though I'll wait to see the "feedback" on the "other side" before
> > passing judgement.  I hope that it "slips by", frankly.  We don't need
> > another "inquisition".... Thanks for posting on the weekend here!
> > Sincerely.
> >
> > While I personally know from experience and testing that it is
> > "impossible" for a Sunny-Boy to "Island", the "other side" doesn't....
> > Yet.  By nature, training (sic), culture, and experience, they are going
> > to regard anything less than "Fully Dispatchable, 100MW or Greater,
> > Non-Renewable Fueled Generation" as the only source of "trustworthy
> > generation", even though the "2003 Blackout" proved otherwise.  FACT!
> >
> > The Wrenches is a tremendous resource for anyone interested in
> > Renewables!  I believe we all agree on that.  A personal THANK YOU!!!!
> > to all who participate, and especially our Esteemed Moderator!  "How "
> > and "What" we say can and is taken "out of context" at times.... My
> > "tirades" are no exception.... Please understand that and be sensitive
> > to it.
> >
> > What seems like, "We all know this".... Isn't "known" by all.  What we
> > believe and know, is "not the norm" in Utility Circles....
> >
> > Just my two-cents since I didn't win the Lotto last night.... Dammit!
> > OK.... Wednesday night then!
> >
> > Two Palms and a Hammock!
> >
> > Matt Lafferty
> > Universal Energies Institute
> > mlafferty at universalenergies.com
> > (916) 422-9772
> > (916) 628-7694 Cell
> > (916) 914-2247 Fax
> > www.universalenergies.com
> >
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