Sarah Palin could change mindsets about solar power?
I found a great blog post at One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) that I simply needed to pass along to my readers. Not only is it helpful, but there are some great arguments and its pretty funny to read, as well.
I have to admit that the title peaked my curiosity: Why Solar Can’t Go Mainstream without Sarah Palin. If you too are scratching your head – wait! It makes sense. Consider these points by the author:
1. Solar power is considered to be a lifestyle choice for rich, liberal environmentalists the likes of Al Gore and Leonard diCaprio.
2. Before solar can go mainstream, we have to change perceptions so that people can see that it makes sense for the masses, and that there is a huge economic payback for doing so.
3. In the U.S., less than 1% of homes have solar panel systems installed.
4. There are places in the United States where the solar incentives and financing options are so generous, you’d basically have to be insane not to go solar.
5. Solar power needs a spokesperson that can literally change the national mindset that prevents people to make the switch. Someone that can show us that “regular” people like you and me are going solar, and how awesome it is.
Promoting solar panels as a convenient, affordable way of life
6. Sarah Palin is a great example of a “game changer” who could change perceptions about solar from highbrow liberal luxury to one of the everyday items regular families can afford. The 1BOG blog post examines Palin’s political stance and describes how she could apply them to promote solar conversion:
We should not reward poor financial decisions. (Sep 2008). House flipping and predatory lending put us in a bad spot. What about instead investing in your home for years by improving it with something that saves you money on your power bills? It’s forced savings, it’s frugal and it’s the most stable, low-risk investment out there (solar panels are essentially made of sand. They’re silicon. They don’t break. There are panels that were installed in the 1960’s that are still pumping out money). Energy is a foundation of national security. (Sep 2008). Each panel is that much new energy generated inside our country and not imported. Sure, we get most of our coal from inside the country, but electric vehicles have already started, and that means less oil, and we can generate the power for those from the sun. This isn’t some crazy pipe dream, it already works and so do the economics behind it. Leverage job-training dollars through voc-tech curriculum. (Nov 2006). Yes, there’s lot of heat about our subsidies going to other nations. You can’t do much about that, you gotta close your eyes and have some faith. We’re a capitalist nation. If their products are cheaper, they’re going to put those in in their large products because it benefits the bottom line. But you know what you can never export? Jobs putting in renewable energy projects. If you want something to replace the auto industry to keep us a global powerhouse, it’s this.
Favorite movie: “Hoosiers.” We’re coming from way behind Germany, Japan, Spain, and now China in solar. We are the underdog.
If Sarah Palin is unavailable, or otherwise unwilling to promote widespread adoption of solar, 1BOG suggests we turn to Jim Cramer, Donald Trump, Glenn Beck or Oprah. Put aside the boring, predictable environmentalists and get some people that definitely can cause a stir.
C’mon – I know you want to read the article! Click here for more.
Tags: residential solar, sarah palin, solar energy, solar panels, solar power
December 1st, 2010 at 5:40 am
United States should be stipulate more rules to expedite the use of solar energy instead of keep dragging the implementation.
December 19th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Oprah.
If Oprah would do this, and do it as a makeover of someone’s house on the show.
It’d be awesome if they started the show and got it installed before the end of the show.