Solar power plan
Posted by Tyler Kinch on November 3rd, 2006
I’m glad that the federal NDP site is now being updated on a daily basis with usually a few press releases a day. Today I read this one. It’s about the NDP’s ideas for the solar industry.
It got me thinking though. Why not put in a plan so that every new federal government building is equipped with solar panels? The plan could also be extended to allow a fund for renovations to government buildings to equip them with solar panels. This would save taxpayers a lot of money in energy costs in the long run. Also homeowners can sell excess energy from solar powers to the power company and pump it back into the grid, why not have the federal government do this as well?
This plan also has many other benefits, than just saving money. It would be a step towards helping us meet our Kyoto targets and if provinces take part in a plan like this, it would have a tremendous positive effect on green house gases! Also it would be a huge boost to the solar power industry, which theoretically would cause prices to go down for ordinary consumers who want to help out the environment while saving money on their energy bills each month.
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Actually, this was a part of the previous government’s plan. So you’re idea has already been acted on. Unfortunately, the plan was cut by the Harper government. One more reason we need Dion back in office and as leader of the liberal party.
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Do you know where I can information on the Liberal plan? It’s not that I don’t believe you, I’m just curious for knowledge.
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Um, sorry I don’t know. I learned about it when the Tories decided to cut over 15 programs that were designed to deal with climate change.
I haven’t seen the document in a few months.
But, you can look at Dion’s plan on Climate Change. It’s over 50 pages in length. There are also plans to ensure clean air, clean water, to elimate hazardous chemicals in Canada. http://www.stephanedion.ca
Also, you can look at this interview where Dion talks about many of his environmental policies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0HnxazmV9I
If you’re serious about the environment, as I am, then please take a look at what is being offered by Dion. We desperately need good environmental leaders in office.
December 2nd, 2006 at 10:58 pm
I think your/the liberal party proposal has a lot of merit. However, compared to even the simplest natural organisms, existing photovoltaic cells are so inefficient that I wonder whether the federal government couldn’t get a bigger return on its investment in other ways. For instance, I wonder if it may be all around more efficient if the government take the amount of money that it would have spent putting solar panels on buildings and just dumped that money into R&D to develop cheaper, more efficient solar panels. Because theoretically speaking, if simple organisms can do what they do, we should realistically be able to get solar panels at least 50% more efficient.
Of course this doesn’t have to be an “either, or” scenario. I see no reason why the feds couldn’t do both your plan and R&D