The Economics of Being Green

With the coming and passing of St Patrick's Day, and the recent increases in the price of gasoline, I thought it might be a good time talk about the economics of being green... in an energy using sort of way. In the last couple weeks, Sean Hannity was talking with Daryl Hannah about using Renewable Energy, and cutting the Carbon load we all create. During this discussion, Sean continually made the remark that solar, wind and biodiesel are laudable products; they just aren't economically feasible right now. When they are economically competitive, it would make more sense to switch.

Well, Mr. Hannity needs to do some research on what the current costs and return on investment are. Those statements could have been factual ten years ago, but now, there are ways to make it not only cost neutral, but even save money. When the cost of electricity increases above 12 cents per kilowatt, solar is competitive. There are many suppliers making constant improvements, which combined with the tax incentives that state and local governments provide, makit cheaper to switch than not.

A big problem is the public's perception, like Mr. Hannity's is still based on the technology of the past. Those feelings used to be true. They aren't anymore, but the public needs to be educated to that fact. Just like any new technology, the early adoptors take most of the risk, paying more to be the first to have it. Now we are coming out of that early adoptor period and embarking on the widespread acceptance and affordability period. No one should be afraid to jump in now.


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