Re(2): GBlist: P.V. Rebates?

["John F. GRANT(SED)" <J.F.Grant@shu.ac.uk>]

Hi Bill,

You are of course quite right in all your statements - except (I bet you knew I was going to say
that!) that current costs can be cost effective depending on where you're installing the system. 
Yes, there's the obvious off grid applications.  However, there are also massive opportunities for
use of PV's in cladding systems instead of high cost cladding (e.g Marble on the HQ's and Banks) if
they were replaced with PV it would be cheaper to install now, and make electricity, and be a PR
boon, and look good, and be a great talking point, and prove their environmental credentials (a
little) etc.....etc.....etc.

The other angle I have rarely seen used is the KUDOS FACTOR!  There are plenty of people who think
nothing of spending thousands of US dollars/UK pounds on a bathroom or a car compared to others -
why is this?  It looks better, yes.  It functions better, perhaps.  It has loads more kudos,
DEFINATELY!  

How can we put PV's forward this way - save the planet, do your bit, give a "V" to the power
companies, invest in your future/retirement.  There are many ways, yes it's hard, and may not work
initially (I agree it didn't in the 70's or the 80's or the 90's).  But I'm personally going to
stick at it, because I know the logic is flawless.  

We are currently in a manipulated market (based of fossil fuels and we don't take into account full
system costs and the environment is a huge free dustbin which is always someone elses problem to
clean up) all this is keeping PV's from flourishing once people know about PV's - I know you
probably don't appreciate this but we've been pushing this tech for the last 30yrs and there are
still people who don't understand what they are (do you make hot water with them?)  what the
opportunities (you mean you don't need to have cloudless skies for them the work?) and limitations
they have (they cost so much more that the electricity I get out of the socket).  Few realise that
it's possible to be electrically self sufficient with a PV array on your roof (over a year) even in
the UK!

And again you're quite right energy efficiency is fundamental, both in the current energy
environment AND if PV's are ever going to have any market penetration.  You sound like you've been
bashing your head against this brick wall for thirty years (and that's going to give you a sore
head) but it is possible, we just need to be a bit inventive, AND DON'T GIVE UP - WE CAN'T LOSE,
it's just going to take some time.

(yes I know I'm an idealist and a bit of a dreamer but please don't hold it against me?)

TTFN,
          John
******************************************      
John F. Grant
Research Associate
Resources Research Unit
Science Park (Unit 12)
Sheffield Hallam University
City campus
Sheffield S1 1 WB

Tel : 0114 225 4034
Fax: 0114 225 4496
e-mail: j.f.grant@shu.ac.uk
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