The problem in evaluating various forms of power is that two critical elements of the debate — and the efficiency of the energy source — are often ignored, or wind up buried beneath “statistics” designed to sway the heart instead of the brain. In many cases, an ignorant public and a highly divided political system… ( read more )
April 30, 2012 | By Mike Gonet | Filed under: Articles, Education, Green News, Solar Energy, Wind Energy
Sometime between 2008 and 2009, or perhaps before then, I got it in my head that the best poetry was political in nature, the best fiction was psychological or sociological in nature, and the best non-fiction, well, was non-fiction! It was also sometime around then that I got on board the alternative energy train, or… ( read more )
April 30, 2012 | By Mike Gonet | Filed under: Articles, Education, Green News, Solar Energy, Wind Energy
Sometimes, I must admit, it is difficult to convince myself of the scientific basis for global warming and alternative energy. The data seems too easy to manipulate. Can scientists really predict temperatures 100 years into the future when it is so difficult to predict this year’s hurricane season? Perhaps with some probability of error. What… ( read more )
April 30, 2012 | By Mike Gonet | Filed under: Articles, Education, Green News, Solar Energy, Wind Energy
This week, solar electricity made the news with high-profile investments by Google and the government’s energy department. Google announced that they are funding the installation of solar panels on 10,000 homes. The Obama administration’s investment will loan out about a billion dollars to electric companies developing their solar programs. When looking for the best places… ( read more )
September 29, 2011 | By Mike Gonet | Filed under: Articles, Education, Green News, Solar Energy
There’s no doubt that a solar electric system will cut your monthly utility bill. But will it save you money in the long run? That’s a tricky question. The upfront costs average about $15,000 to $25,000 (after financial credits and rebates). For a lot of folks, the discussion ends right there. But for people who… ( read more )
September 25, 2011 | By Mike Gonet | Filed under: Articles, Education, Green News, Solar Energy