Last weekend I was checking out my favorite eco-site, TreeHugger.com and found [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/california_appr.php|an article] reporting on a great new program from the state of California to give out $3.2 billion in rebates to people and businesses who install rooftop solar installations on their homes and/or buildings. According to the post, this includes government buildings, farms and businesses. Unfortunately, these rebates go out over 11 years, but hey, at least they're going out at all.
Of course, if the Peak Oil folks are right, you won't need rebates to inspire people to go solar by 2010.
New Jersey has had a setup like this California one for quite a few years. NJ will rebate 70% for anyone who did any kind of "green" until 1% of the state has gone "green." Pretty cool. It cost someone we know $15,000 for totally converting his place which included not only solar but geothermal plus he is selling electricity back to the power company for what he was paying for it. Very cool!
ReplyDeleteWow, that's pretty cool! But 1%? I guess the idea is to inspire people to be early adopters. 1% of New Jersey isn't that many people, really.
ReplyDeleteWell, like I said, if there's any reality to the whole peak oil thing, we won't care about government insentives.
Actually 1% of New Jersey's population is about 87,000 people. That's 2004 figures.
ReplyDeleteThat's still not that many people--imagine what 1% is in California.
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