Comments on: California utilities lead in solar energy, report says

West Coast utilities are charging ahead with solar plants, but other regions could surpass them soon, according to the Solar Electric Power Association.

[samnation]

I am concerned about global warming. How much heat would be reflected back into our atmosphere from all the billions of solar panels required to replace fossil fuels?

[enovikoff]

sam: solar panels actually cool the atmosphere in two ways. If they are somewhat reflective, they will tend to beam the heat of the sun back into space, much like ice does. Also, because they absorb energy from the sun and turn it into electric power, they actually subtract from the total heat that would have hit the ground. That heat is delivered at the point-of-use of the electric power, but it replaces power that would have created more carbon in the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. So overall, solar panels actually do a little better at cooling the earth than simply eliminating some fossil fuel use.

[as901]

They lead in solar energy, but when you look at their recent profits, it is still a drop in the bucket. We need all solar, wind or geothermal, and it can be done!

Mark Heinemann

[sughyosha]

The subject of sustainable energy is crucial to the preservation of many aspects of life on this planet. Every government should simply give a simple and unconditional tax holiday to anyone who wants to investigate any alternate sources of energy (stop - that statement needs a little re-consideration - but I hope you get my drift) .