By Daniel Beattie EnviroPlumbing, Santa Monica
(Re: “The sun also sets,” Oct. 30) Kudos go out to the city for working to solve the problems that exist. In the building department, the change is night and day — truly superb compared to what it used to be.
Dividing the department is a good idea, as there are clearly two different sorts of solar — PV and thermal — and they should be kept apart. PV (photo voltaic) is electric. An electrician should be dealing with the installation and maintenance of PV products. Thermal is heating water and should be done by someone with plumbing expertise.
Solar energy is an unlimited resource that does not produce harmful emissions, or require transportation or pipelines. Any building today can generate the majority of the energy it needs using modern well-engineered solar systems. Also, there is a considerable cost advantage to planning solar systems for new buildings.
In California, if you install solar, the value of your house goes up, plus you can stop or significantly reduce your energy bill.
The California Million Roof legislation needs to move forward. Should SB 1 become law, it, combined with the Public Utilities Commission’s California Solar Initiative, would create the largest solar program in the country, building 3,000 megawatts of solar power — the equivalent of six large power plants — on homes, businesses, farms and schools throughout the state.
In Santa Monica, if we are going to become the “net zero” city we proudly boast of becoming — generating clean energy that matches our total energy consumption — we need to get new inspectors trained. There are lots of capable solar organizations.
With PV, you will soon be able to drive home and plug your car in. Mercedes Benz is now testing a car with plugs-ins. Also, you can already buy cars in America that are electric. Check out www.pluginamer-ica. No more dependence on oil and energy, and you’re helping the environment.
The choice is yours, the technology is here today.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 2, 2007. Read the original PDF.