Solar Power May Be Eco-Friendly. But Some in California Call It a Blight

**kaylaris** · 03-24-2009 03:59 AM

California wants to run on sunshine. The state is forcing utility companies to provide 20% of their output by way of solar power and other forms of renewable electricity by 2010. Last November, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said he wanted the ratio to be a third by 2020. Now the feds are bringing the money to help fund all this sunny energy, with the Obama administration's stimulus package promising to pay for 30% of solar power projects that begin by the end of 2010.

Full story Solar Power May Be Eco-Friendly. But Some in California Call It a Blight - TIME

**Cass** · 03-25-2009 02:04 AM

Interesting article kaylaris, thanks for sharing!

I think there are definitely going to be trade offs, and this would be one of them in terms of covering a large area with solar panels which may not be appealing to they eye. However, we can't have our cake and eat it too. When you live in a finite world there needs to be trade offs. This is one I am willing to take!

**Ryan Ruiz** · 03-25-2009 01:52 PM

I see both sides of the arguement and would like to say there is other ways we can be green. We have a generator that runs off of waste heat. for indutrial plants that produce large quanities of heat through water, steam or exhaust. And the generator it self puts off no emissions. With the industry and waste heat in California there is a lot of waste heat that is just going to the atmosphere and not being used. This kind of utilization alone can probably get California 30% green.

**Cass** · 03-25-2009 10:42 PM

Thanks for sharing Ryan! And welcome to the Green Forum!

I hope others will provide input into this discussion as well! I do think it is not an all or nothing. It is definitely a balancing act between needs, wants, trade offs and what current technology and the environment can bare...

**bammer** · 03-30-2009 09:09 AM

I agree that there are trade-offs but the major question to ask ourselves is what is best for our children and grandchildren?

Solar Power May Be Eco-Friendly. But Some in California Call It a Blight
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