Renewable Energy Myths

[M.D. Holloway]

I found this interesting...

New website debunks renewable energy myths
By Anna Simet | June 20, 2012

...The American Council on Renewable Energy has launched a new website designed to address the imbalance in America’s debate over clean and renewable energy.

The Energy Fact Check website offers visitors multiple browsing options to learn the truth about renewable energy cost and availability, jobs generation, policies and technology, public opinion and bipartisan support, the strength of the industry and how it affects national security.

Numerous common myths in each category are addressed with real answers, which are documented. For example, under the category Cost and Availability, the first claim listed is, “clean and renewable energy is too expensive,” and it is followed by a factual answer. “The cost of clean and renewable energy is much lower than some might think and is already cost competitive with conventional energy resources in many markets,” it said. “In the last two years, prices for wind, solar, electric vehicles and other technologies have fallen rapidly and will continue to do so, and biofuels have helped lower gas prices.”

Following the initial answer, it lists six supporting facts, documented by sources that include universities, the U.S. Energy Information Administration, technical journals and more. Facts address the industry as a whole and as individual sectors, including biomass, biofuels, wind, solar, and geothermal.

ACORE President and CEO Dennis McGinn unveiled the website at the organization’s June 20 Renewable Energy Finance Forum-Wall Street in New York City. He noted that ACORE chose to launch energyfactcheck.org and @EnergyFactCheck, a corresponding Twitter feed, before the more than 600 investors, financiers and industry executives attending the event for a specific reason. “Right now in Washington, politicians are using our industry to score political points,” he stated. “Some want the American people to ignore the billions of dollars in investments and the millions of jobs we have created. Meanwhile, America’s investors and financiers know the real story. They know that clean, renewable energy is a smart investment. They know that renewable energy is an industry and it should be treated and discussed as an industry, not as a political football.”

McGinn also said that opponents of renewables are pushing the occasional bad news as if it’s the only news. “They are dominating the conversation through misrepresentation, exaggeration, distraction and millions of dollars in lobbying and advertising,” he continued.

The website, Energy Fact Check, also includes an energy library that allows users to search specific topics or studies.

[biosurfer1]

So the American Council for Renewable Energy created a website that defends renewable energy...I'm shocked.

'followed by a factual answer. “The cost of clean and renewable energy is much lower than some might think and is already cost competitive with conventional energy resources in many markets,” it said. “In the last two years, prices for wind, solar, electric vehicles and other technologies have fallen rapidly and will continue to do so, and biofuels have helped lower gas prices.”

I've never seen so many opinions in a "factual answer". Don't get me wrong, I'm all for renewable energy but I put about as much credit into this website as BP's "We agree and feel the same way you do" commercials.

[Joeaksa]

Have had solar on the house for almost 6 months now. Its cut my electrical bill by a good 30-40% and I sell loads of power back to the power company every month.

Should have done this years ago and every new house in the sun belt should be built with these included.

[RWebb]

sounds like they are trying to head off disinformation from big coal

but what is the spin level on the site?

[biosurfer1]

Joe, do you have APS or Salt River? Also, are you on a time of use rate plan or a tiered plan? One of my customers wanted to do solar on their Sacramento plant but it just doesn't make financial sense because they are in SMUD's territory, not PG&E. They also have a plants in Mesa and Phoenix and have had solar for years too and it really pays off for them. Unfortunately so much rides on which electrical company you have as to whether it will make sense or not.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

Joe, do you have APS or Salt River? Also, are you on a time of use rate plan or a tiered plan? One of my customers wanted to do solar on their Sacramento plant but it just doesn't make financial sense because they are in SMUD's territory, not PG&E. They also have a plants in Mesa and Phoenix and have had solar for years too and it really pays off for them. Unfortunately so much rides on which electrical company you have as to whether it will make sense or not.

I am using APS, have no choice in my area.

Went with Solar City. Solar Panels, Solar Power Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency They had several plans but finally took one where I paid zero down and its a 20 year lease. Right now I pay them about $84 a month for the panels. This ramps up every year but so will the cost for electricity, so IMHO its a wash. They cover all maintenance and repairs for the 20 years at no cost to me, everything is covered totally. After the 20 years (panels usually last a good 30 years) the system is free to the homeowner.

Last year this time my utility bill was just over $400 in August. Neighbor this year paid $440. Mine was $230 with the panels and once you factor in the lease it was still a good $100 cheaper per month than last year and over $125 cheaper than my neighbor's utility bill.

Worth it for me and when it comes time to sell the house which one would you choose? One with utilities 25-30% less than the others I hope!

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Have had solar on the house for almost 6 months now. Its cut my electrical bill by a good 30-40% and I sell loads of power back to the power company every month.

Should have done this years ago and every new house in the sun belt should be built with these included.

How much did it cost to install?
You're welcome.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

How much did it cost to install?
You're welcome.

Pretty sure that's all worked in Sam. But you are a smart guy, so you knew that.

[Por_sha911]

PARF bait