SUV's saved by Lower Gas Prices?

Car dealers find traction in declining gas prices - Boston Herald

I am not surprised, people's memories are so short and the prices on SUV's are amazing. If this goes on for a couple more months, I would not be surprised if this really helps out GM and Ford, and may be even change the product line up again, which lately became focused on fuel efficiency. Of course, I think all their SUV's should be Hybrids that focus on better mileage, they have the margin to add that and still make a nice profit! That would be a nice requirement, along with flex fuel.

The solar vote - Israel

Israel I would have thought would have more Solar, they do require Solar Thermal for water heating. The solar vote is an editorial about how Israel needs to develop more solar.

Under $3 Gas - More SUV's on the Road

In my area recently, I noticed there seems to be more SUV's and trucks driving around. And the line for gas at Costco is so much smaller. It makes me wonder if the the amount of miles driven is going to go up again, increasing the demand for gas, and resulting in higher gas prices.

Toyota - What's Next

So so article from the Washington Post on Toyota. Toyota Hard Hit but Equipped to Steer Clear

What the article missed is the fall in US sales and the fact that it takes 5 years for a new car model to come out. I thought the US plan for Prius was going to start production in 2009, not 2010. My mistake, and it's a new plant which explains the lead time. I am not sure why they just don't change a truck plant to make Prius, with the flexible manufacturing of Toyota it should be easier. But a headache is the Prius components, and where these are going to be manufactured from the batteries to the IGBT's to the electric motors, these I would guess are all custom parts.

Solar Chargers - Bottom up change

Solar is becoming economical first in areas that people are willing to pay a premium for it, such as military and off road uses. Another example of this - ICP and Wal-Mart See Huge Market for Solar Chargers in 2009

Low Oil Prices Take Wind Out Of Renewables

Low Oil Prices Take Wind Out Of Renewables from the SF Chronicle.

I am afraid of this.

Interesting quote:

"So if you believe that we are about to enter a rather severe global recession ... then my guess is it won't be long before oil prices are back where they were before this spiral began, back in the $20s," said Jerry Taylor, senior analyst with the Cato Institute think tank. "And political interest in energy will disappear."

Solar Thermal

1st solar-thermal in years is on - McClatchy Washington Bureau and it's in California!