Solar Water Heaters in Barbados

Solar energy the way to go. With solar water heating, it's challenging to figure out the status around the world. I read articles and use some common sense. What Barbados has done is use income tax reductions as a way to push Solar Water Heating. This makes a lot of sense as a way to reduce imports and balance of trade.

After some searching, more information: Promotion of Solar Water Heating Systems.
Ministry of Finance, which enabled manufacturers to import materials duty-free, and provide consumers with partial or full tax deductions forthe cost of the heaters. Retail is $US2000. Saves $US 6.5 million per year in imported fuel and consumers $US 16 million.

Another Article: Solar: Guy with off grid house, Bamboula Haven Eco Study whatsis.

Key points:

• 2 Year payback.
• 70% of Government buildings use solar heating.
• 40% of homes use it.

Repay Solar Loans with Solar!

Finally, this sounds promising. PSE&G to help customers swing solar panels

I have been wondering since there is around a 15 to 20 year payback for solar installations, why Power Companies don't do a lease to buy program for solar. Paid for during the 15 or so years by the electricity generated. Since homeowners for the most part are not interested in a 15 year investment, but power companies are, I am surprised this has not happened yet. There is some movement for doing this for commercial installations.

CFL

Good overall article on CFL's - Confusion about fluorescent lighting

I am frustrated on trying to figure out the quality of the CFL bulbs, and it's not always true that you get what you pay for...

The article did not mention the subsidy in California that is making CFL's around a $1 in Southern California. From a monetary viewpoint, their is on excuse not to get them. Disposal is a headache and I will need to go see what Walmart is doing. The comment from Maine about cutting out the carpet after a CFL broke was overkill, because they did not know what to do at the time.

Solar Housing Tract in California near Sacremento

SMUD, home builder strike deal for 1487 solar-powered homes. Subsidy per house is $5,955 per home. I wonder what the payback time would be without the subsidy? My guess is this in addition to other subsidies from the State (there is no mention of those). Or what the total cost of each installation is.

My guess is each installation costs $20K before subsidies, and probably $5K to the homeowner after all the subsidies are added, reducing their electricity bill by 80%.

Electronic Recycling - The Reality

I was at my daughter's high school today for an open house. In one of the classes I saw a poster board about E-Recycling as I passed, so I went in to talk to the student. The student was talking about how they could use Electronic Recycling for raising money for schools. So I asked, since we are in California, which recycler they were using. And they mentioned a company for cell phones. I asked what they got paid for, and got the answer that showed a lack of understanding of the economics of Electronic Recycling.

There are a few non-profit Electronic Recyclers, but the largest ones are for profit. And they are willing to pay collectors and larger sources for display devices covered under SB20/SB 50. The majority of the money is in CRT's still (this is changing). Cell Phones have a higher per pound value and with the huge turnover our a source of funds, but with businesses changing over entire offices from CRT's to LCD's, and at 20 cents or so payments from Collectors, and with each CRT weighing 20 lbs or more, this is a great source of funds. With schools, many of them have smarted up and have applied to become collectors or are actually setting up their used electronics for bidding.

So what is the value of a CRT?

• Some people still use CRT's, so rumor has it some Electronic Recyclers don't go through the hassle of recycling, but just export container loads and make a few dollars. Recycling gets into lead glass issues which is a headache (it should be recycled into more CRT's, but how many CRT's are still being made?).
• The Copper Yoke is worth a few dollars.
• The Printed Circuit boards are worth a few pennies per lbs.
• The plastic case of a CRT can be sold. Crushed and bailed using a bailer.
• If a TV with a wood case, the wood needs to be disposed of. Some places can recycle it, but most don't.
  
• The leaded glass costs money to dispose of. It's supposed to go to glass to glass operation or a lead smelter.
  
• To take apart a CRT costs money.

A good article - One year later: a California electronics recycler looks at the experience of implementing SB20

Solar Thernal in Hawaii

Hawaii Bill Would Mandate Solar Thermal Technologies. Makes sense to me (of course I don't live there).

New PG&E Solar Plant

PG&E makes huge solar deal - SiliconValley.com uses Solar Thermal. Basically heats up water to steam that turns a turbine to generate electricity. Five plants to produce 900 Megawatts. This is one way to get around the silicon shortage.