Power to the people

Neighbors help neighbors get power from the sun

Posted by Erik Hoffner (Guest Contributor) at 5:04 PM on 23 Apr 2008

Read more about: solar voltaic power | energy | energy at home | renewable energy

Co-ops are hugely underrated for their potential to make good happen in the world. As an example, the renewable energy co-op I'm a member of in the Northeast, aptly named Co-op Power, had its first "member to member" solar hot water installation this weekend. The power of this co-op is in its 300-plus members' enthusiasm, and it was in evidence on this day as our trained team hoisted two panels into place, which were making hot water by evening.

Photo: Erik Hoffner

This barn-raising-style event gets co-op members' systems installed without having to pay for the installation (each install is designed by a pro, though). With the federal rebate of 30 percent (up to $2,000) on such systems and the power of buying in bulk working in tandem, we're putting these systems up for about 50 percent off, and in many cases, that will work out to about a three-year payback.

But maybe the best part of it is that we're all learning how to create a renewable future and building community along the way. Between making our homes mini power plants to pooling our funds to catalyze renewable energy assets (like our proposed community-scale biodiesel plant that uses waste oil as its feedstock or perhaps a large solar electric array), it's a way to take back some responsibility for, and ownership of, our energy production. Cooperatively.

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Here are some more images from the event: (what could be more photogenic than buckets of antifreeze?)

http://picasaweb.google.com/jgcurington/CooperativeSolarP ...

Erik

The Orion Grassroots Network: 1,200+ grassroots groups working for conservation & more

by Erik Hoffner at 8:28 AM on 24 Apr 2008

More Verticality

We need more verticality. Instead of stapling on solar panels horizontally across houses, coops or adding "efficient cars" we need to build soup to nuts solutions.

It can all be done in the existing enviroment, but must be done all at once.

Image:

Exurbian enclaves with apartment complexes that have solar, fuel cells and electric outlets at the parking spaces from the get go. The center is a play area and common garden. The staff includes a Farmer who will help you maintain and grow crops. There are work buildings onsite that companies can lease and link together in virtual distributed corporations. Government subsidies pay dads or moms $30,000 a year to stay and raise kids. There is a "Section 9" that cuts rent for people who do work at home and don't drive to work every day.

But what if you don't want to live there? Move! They are apartments so you can pick up and leave any time to change your locale. You're not stuck in a mortgage based on 1980s valuations and interest rates. Everything is flexible and tied in. Goods and services are reverse tariffed if produced at the apartment complex -- add subsidies based on proximity.

Texeme.Construct(Participant)

by jabailo at 10:56 AM on 24 Apr 2008

both

John, I like your vision. The farmer piece especially. But until we get there, retrofitting our existing infrastructure with horizontal units makes a good deal of sense.

Erik

The Orion Grassroots Network: 1,200+ grassroots groups working for conservation & more

by Erik Hoffner at 12:39 PM on 24 Apr 2008

There is nothing wrong with your set.

You control the horizontal.

I control the vertical.

Texeme.Construct(Participant)

by jabailo at 6:29 PM on 24 Apr 2008

Yes to Solar Power; no to fossil fuels.........

......but when? And who will lead us?

Your perspective is deeply appreciated; but it is evidently not shared by most of the leaders in my not-so-great generation of elders. Our behavior speaks louder than any words. Our behavior indicates with remarkable clarity that Earth and its environs are not nearly as important as the growth of, and profits derived from, the artificially designed, manmade construction called the global economy.

Your perspective appears to suggest that "It's the ECOLOGY, STUPID!"; whereas the great majority of our leaders would say that "It's the ECONOMY, STUPID!" Too many leaders think only of economic growth and profits. Earth's ecology is an afterthought.

Perhaps time is short to make the necessary changes; and, indeed, time is not on our side.

The singer, Madonna, reports to all of us in her latest song that we have just "four minutes to save the world."

We need to go far fast in a new direction. But, where do we find the leaders to take us in the direction we need to go? Most of our leaders appear to be engaged in idolatry of the global political economy, come what may for our children, biodiversity, a limited resource base, frangible ecosystem services and the Earth as a fit place for human habitation by coming generations.

Sincerely,

Steve

Steven Earl Salmony
AWAREness Campaign on The Human Population,
established 2001
http://sustainabilitysoutheast.org/

by stevenearlsalmony at 7:54 AM on 25 Apr 2008

Leadership

Stevearl, isn't that the point of this article? Collectively, we can lead ourselves, at least to start with.

And nothing convinces a disbeliever like an actual change to reality -- it may be that the only way to get large-scale collective will on this issue is to create more and more small-scale collective accomplishments.

by westomoon at 4:06 PM on 29 Apr 2008

ADVERTISING POLICY

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