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Is Renewable Energy Ready for Today's Market?

By Ken Sheinkopf
July 24, 2007 | 6 Comments

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There are so many new emerging solar technologies that are still unproven. However, they are getting a lot of media attention. This I feel is confusing the mass public to believe that very soon we will have extremely cheaper grid-tied solar electric systems. What would you say to this? --Chris H., Northern California

Thanks to the current federal tax credits, the many state financial incentives, utility rebates, energy-efficient mortgages and other forms of financial assistance, today's renewable energy technologies are more affordable than ever before. And unlike the dramatic news stories of potential new technologies, today's renewable energy systems are ready now to provide for your energy needs.

It's a very good question, Chris, because you're absolutely correct that much of the great research being conducted today on renewable energy technologies is still in the laboratory and in the very early stages of product development. They do indeed offer significant potential for less expensive energy in the future, but some of the most exciting ones we hear about are still years down the road.

I agree with you that a lot of the hype of what might be possible in the coming years is indeed confusing the public, making proven renewable energy technologies like solar thermal, wind energy and photovoltaics seem almost dull and commonplace by comparison to what researchers hope will be here sometime in the future.

It's probably the same thing that is happening to the auto industry, where we now have hybrid vehicles on our roads that get 30 to 50 miles per gallon—certainly a big improvement over what most conventional vehicles get but we're tantalized by the prospects of 100-mile-per-gallon cars and hydrogen- and fuel-cell-powered vehicles that might offer so much more.

It's important that the public doesn't lose sight of the reliable, cost-effective renewable energy technologies that are available today at prices that are affordable, made of materials that will perform to expectations, and that are being installed by knowledgeable, trained industry members.

It'd be a real shame if the prospects of potential technology breakthroughs stand in the way of people using today's technologies. Thanks to the current federal tax credits, the many state financial incentives, utility rebates, energy-efficient mortgages and other forms of financial assistance, today's renewable energy technologies are more affordable than ever before. And unlike the dramatic news stories of potential new technologies, today's renewable energy systems are ready now to provide for your energy needs.

I don't want to take away any of the excitement of what the future holds in terms of new renewable energy systems. I've seen the laboratory research on fuel cells and hydrogen energy systems, for example, and I'm convinced it's only a matter of time until we are able to take advantage of them to provide power for our homes and vehicles. But in the meantime, I think "extremely cheaper grid-tied solar electric systems" and other technologies are actually here today and ready for immediate use.

Solar Energy

The information and views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of RenewableEnergyWorld.com or the companies that advertise on its Web site and other publications.

6 Reader Comments

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1 of 6

michael-miller-44813

July 24, 2007

That is great if you are in a state that offers these incentives. Unfortunately, at least in Michigan, renewables are moving at a snale's pace while they debate giving rebates for renewables.  They are working on getting an RPS passed, but that will not help the homeowners who could choose to supply their own power.  The crazy thing is we send billions out of state to pay for our energy.

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hussain-alrobaei-50048

July 25, 2007

The cost of solar thermal power is falling. Experience from the Solar Electric Generating Systems (SEGS) in California shows that impressive cost reductions have already been achieved, with generation costs ranging today between 10 and 13 US cents/kWh. Hybrid solar-fossil fuel plants, making use of special finance schemes at favourable sites, can already deliver competitively priced electricity. Competition with the economics of solar thermal power plantscomes mainly from conventional grid-connected fossil fuel-fired power plants, particularly the modern natural gas-fired combined cycle plants [1,2] in mid-load or base-load operation mode. In small-scale off-grid generation systems, such as islands or developing countries, the competition comes from gas oil or heavy fuel oil-powered diesel engine generators. However, a mixture of factors, including reform of the electricity sector, the rising demand for ‘green power’, the possibility of gaining carbon credits from pollution-free generation and direct support schemes for renewable energy in some countries, are all increasing the viability of such projects. Most importantly, in terms of the wider environment, there are no emissions during the operation of a solar thermal plant of carbon dioxide – the main gas responsible for global climate change. Solar power can therefore make a substantial contribution towards international commitments to reduce the steady increase in the level of greenhouse gases and their contribution to climate change1. Hussain Alrobaei, 2006, <a href="../../centers/knowledge/whitepapers/report.cfm?rid=102295" target="_blank">Integrated Gas Turbine Solar Power Plant</a>/ The Energy Central Network/ energycentral.com/centers/knowledge/ whitepapers. 2. Hussain Alrobaei,2007, Novel Integrated Gas Turbine Solar Cogeneration Power Plant/DEC, Halkidiki, Greece ,22–25 April 2007.

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john-sener-64271

July 25, 2007

It would really help if energy experts provided realistic estimates of when specific technologies will be available instead of the breathlessly optimistic vendor-driven estimates we tend to hear through the media.  This would help individual consumers who are making what are ultimately individual decisions.  In my own case, for example, I'm going ahead with current solar technologies for my new green home despite concerns about early obsolescence.  At the same time, I'm deferring the purchase of a new vehicle to see if a car maker actually comes through with a new generation hybrid a la GM's Chevy Volt concept car or some comparably attractive alternative.  I like Priuses, but I'd rather run my Honda Accord closer to the end of its useful life than make two new car purchases over the next 5-10 years. I don't know whether these are the right decisions, but they are individual decisions, and better information would certainly help...

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reBen

July 25, 2007

Renewable energy generation (i.e., PV) unfairly dominates the public's perception of viable renewable technologies that could make a difference in their homes. PV isn't for (yet) everyone while buy-in cost is so high and rebates are locally unavailable or left to the current political whim of legislators. By contrast, solar thermal technologies (solar water and air heating), it seems to me, are far better starting points for most folks, boasting lower buy-in costs, more widely available installation expertise, shorter payback periods, and (I believe) more widely available incentives or tax credits. PV is great, of course, but the public needs to be informed that a range of options--- at much lower costs--- are available now for them to begin moving toward renewable energy sources. They should not be induced to wait for "something better."

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rick-bonin-38086

July 25, 2007

For info on  Federal Tax credits check out:http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=153397,00.htmlandhttp://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf

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collinar

July 25, 2007

How much is the current federal tax credit? What are the details?

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