Solar power for homeowners is changing again due to the DOE’s (Department of Energy) Sun Shot initiative. They designed a program to lower the cost of solar energy. They hope to make it competitive by cutting the installation costs.
“Reducing the installed cost of solar energy systems by about 75% will drive widespread, large-scale adoption of this renewable energy technology and restore U.S. leadership in the global clean energy race.” What that means is that they are trying to cut costs on labor, the installed costs. Who do they try to cut first? It ends up being the electricians.
A few years ago, generator companies did the same thing. If a company wanted to sell lots of generators, how could they do that? They cut the installation costs of the installer by limiting their installation cost and telling the installers what they can charge. By forcing pricing-lowering on installers, generators were poorly installed.
The state of Louisiana is complaining about poorly installed solar powered systems. The state wants to upgrade electrical contractors who have already been doing electrical work to a better status. Electricians have been running conduit, building panels, wiring, putting supports for their equipment, high voltage equipment, motor control cabinets, boards and installing a lot more. Now, since solar installations have increased rapidly, anybody who already has a state license can apply for a solar installing license and go install solar. You should be licensed within the electrical field to install solar.
Licensed electrical contractors have been installing electrical equipment for years. I think you must be mechanically inclined first, electrically knowledgeable, and be able to do control work if necessary, for voltage control work, and very knowledgeable on high voltage and low voltage DC.
If the government wants to cut anything, they should cut the costs of the materials. Just like the people who sell generators don’t want to cut their costs, they would rather cut the labor of the installer.
Americans use more electricity than any other country. That statement alone should help you realize that America needs to get on the ball to lead the world in alternative energy technology. We have the greatest resources available to everyone.
• Solar is good for our environment
• Solar is quiet.
• Solar has no harmful emissions while operating
The other day, I learned that my local power company (Cleco) is building a new multi-million dollar energy producing power plant. Cleco is building a coal fired plant so that they can use coal instead of natural gas. If they want to reduce their emissions, they should use natural gas. Why do they use coal? They make more money using coal or diesel. Natural gas is a clean source of energy. Coal is the worst, followed by diesel because of their emissions into the atmosphere. They also use diesel instead of natural gas to generate electricity. Know why? It’s cheaper.
According to DOE, “Even taking into account construction, the overall carbon footprint for generating solar electricity is 30 times less than using coal.” The US is part of the global rate race for clean energy. If we become the leader in clean energy, it will lead to America’s energy future.
Is it alright to do this on the backs of the working people? That’s like saying ‘kill the messenger.’ Let’s cut the costs of the materials and not the costs of the labor to install it.
How does your local power plant produce electricity? Do they use diesel or coal?
Solar power is the way of the future.
Posted by: Electrical Contractor | November 01, 2011 at 08:06 PM