The Robin Hood Theory of REconomics [RE-wrenches]

[Jason Fisher]

Comrades,

I agree with allot of the discussion I've read on Sexy Solar Sales here
on the list.  I would though, like to add a few thoughts.

Being a working class guy living and selling solar in an affluent area
of DC, Maryland, and Virginia which already has too many houses and a
very reliable utility grid, I've had some revelations.  First off I've
learned to never ask why someone wants solar, usually if I do I run the
danger of talking them out of it!  Not because I want to but because my
ideas of pros and cons may be way different from theirs.
I think I've had it all from survivalists, materialists, braggers,
engineers, to (thank god) some ecologists.  Allot of them have been grid
tied and are not used to watching their consumption but once they get
their system connected, they all suddenly want to see that meter spin
backwards!  This always leeds to more discussions on efficiency,
conservation, alternatives, etc.  I witnessed one Y2K couple turn into
some of the greenest people I ever worked for, simply because they
wanted to have every convenience when the power went out.  They loved
their new washer, frig, sun oven, LEDs, Baygen etc. (Real Goods loved
them too!), and they got an education in RE with their PV system.
Yes its true that these systems may be a luxury item for the "upper
middle class", and they may not be doing it solely because they
understand the impact that our energy production and consumption has on
our environment but I soon realized, I don't care.  I know why I'm doing
it, and I'm glad to be getting more PV out there.  In my opinion PV and
thermal panels should be as common to a house as skylights and sun
rooms, because why do people put these things in?  Simply because they
want to.  When was the last time you heard someone doing a cost analysis
of building a garage?  Let's see, how much will they save in car washing
costs, or how much more productive will they be at work if they don't
have to scrape off the frost in the morning?.  I've found that if
someone has an interest, its easy to talk about the positives of RE.  I
firmly agree, however, that it is our responsibility to not sell systems
by making false promises of performance.  I always point out its
limitations (usually after I've installed it! (joke)).
To get RE in the mainstream, we have to let the mainstream be the
mainstream (so its not "Alternative" energy anymore).  They'll come
around eventually.

--
Jason Fisher
Aurora Energy
86 Conduit St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
USA

Voice/ Fax: 410-268-3088
email: aurora at toad.net



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