Stories

SUNSLATES Solar New Jersey debut installation on my home

Jerry Sorgento — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 11:38:19 -0500

I feel that today, with pollution out of control, U.S. currency flowing unabatedly to the overseas oil rich countries and the fate and well being of our planet being decided by politicians that have their own private agendas, my mission takes on a new level of urgency.

Formerly, the U.S. was the world leader in solar energy. Today, we lag behind countries like Japan and Germany, barely contributing a meager 10% to the global solar market.

I am proud that my state, New Jersey, holds the distinction of having the highest rebate in the country, which encourages the installation of solar energy systems. We are doing what the federal government should be doing for every state in the nation.

The American public needs a stronger voice with our elected officials to demand that renewable forms of energy become the rule in our country, not the exception.

U. Maine Solar Vehicle Team

Paul Van Steenberghe — Sat, 09 Jul 2005 12:37:03 -0400

A Trip to the Hardware Store

Paul Wright — Fri, 08 Jul 2005 12:42:03 -0400

There are many tasks that we do that do not require burning petroleum. Often when I need a small item at the local hardware store, I ride my bicycle to the store rather than driving in my car and using gasoline. I get some exercise, save a some money on gasoline, and avoid polluting the air with vehicle exhaust gases.
Our crude oil reserves are a finite resource that we will need in the future even if the oil is not used for motor fuel. Oil is needed to make products that we depend on, such as plastics and other organic chemicals.

Putting my money where my mouth is...uh...on my roof!

Ron Hock — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 12:41:15 -0400

I've had the solar water heater on my roof for years, but I've recently installed photovoltaic panels to offset my electrical usage. Excess electricity is sent back into the grid for my neighbors to use (until they install the panels on their own roofs...) How many homes and buildings could be outfitted for the price of just one new power plant (hydro, nuke, etc.)? And my greenhouse provides space heat for the whole house in the most low-tech way imaginable.

We must accept the necessity of rethinking and retooling our petroleum-based culture and get started now—right now—shedding our dependence on oil. The government should tax fuel consumption to reduce it and use the money for alternative-fuel research (instead of OPEC profits) and start a massive, wartime-like effort to rebuild our rail infrastructure, streamline our shipping industry, retool our power-generation technology and help us to reduce the demand side of the equation through conservation. We're running out of fossil fuels yet this administration wants to keep the coming darkness a big secret. I think it would be in mankind's best interest to avoid a war with China over the last drop of Iranian oil. If they won't lead us into energy independence, we'll just have to get there on our own. If the people lead...

Here comes the sun... and I say... it's all right.

I make the weather work for me

Xristi Megas — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 12:39:35 -0400

Austin's 700 mpg electric scooters

Marcus Ollington — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 12:34:25 -0400