By Liz Merry
SOLAR TODAY "Ask Ms. Liz" Columnist
Happy holidays to all of you dedicated Ask Ms. Liz readers! This is the 30th blog on solar careers and strategies, and I hope it finds you still inspired about getting a job or starting a business in the solar industry.
Lately, I've been reading, hearing and experiencing heightened angst about the planet, our economy and what the future will look like for our kids and their kids. I fall into malaise (like mayonnaise, but browner) when so many different voices are warning that our fundamental systems aren't working (e.g., peak oil, growth-based economic markets, food scarcity, etc...). Everywhere I turn, our environmental and economic limits are being exposed, explained and lamented. I suppose learning about the illness is the first phase in addressing the symptoms, but it's also the scariest.
Uncertainty sucks.
So, because it helps me gain perspective, here are some things that have stayed the same as I've tracked the U.S. solar industry since 2001:
1. Every year we are amazed at the growth in revenue, new products, new business models and new market entrants as well as surprised by the struggles.
2. Just as amazement at the growth subsides, you look around each year and comment on the jaw-dropping difference between the amount of solar technology actually installed and the potential. With hundreds of millions of buildings and strong solar resources throughout the United States, you'd really think we would have more than 100,000 grid-tied systems installed by now. And, even with all the press about growth in other states, you'd be pressed to find a state with more than 5,000 grid-tied photovoltaic systems installed outside California.
3. There's a 10 to 1 ratio between the number of announcements about new efficiency breakthroughs that are still in the laboratory design phase and real-world, in-production, accessible products.
4. For every herd of press releases about utilities signing contracts for large solar plants, there is occasionally a "rare white elk" announcement about a solar plant actually being installed.
5. The solar industry attracts and retains people who are, by nature, upbeat, out-of-the-box, problem-solving types who are good at maintaining an even keel in a topsy-turvy business environment. If they're successful in solar, they deal well with uncertainty.
As a newcomer to this industry myself, I try to observe those who've made their living in solar through the 1980s. They demonstrate the value of long-term perspective and balance. Deep breath. Big smile.
It's gonna be okay.
Now let's get to work!
P.S.: To learn about some of the challenges facing our economic system, I recommend taking the free online "Crash Course" by Chris Martenson. Also, follow VerveSol on Twitter for additional links and resources about the solar industry.
Comments (3)
Gaining knowledge in solar energies ,like to learn to install,maintain,troubleshoot, and upgrade systems
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The more things change
I am not suprised by the lack of solar installations. They cost way too much. And here in the cloudy north they need to be twice as big. The tax breaks are not real savings. You still need the money first. And if you are going off grid you don't get help. They say the price will come down with more sales. I believe you will get more sales if the price comes down first. You will not make a real difference in how the world produces its energy until you have mass sales to individuals. For every one person making 60,000 dollars per year or more there are a thousand making 35,000 dollars or less. It's simple economics. We can't afford them. All those payment plans sound like a cross between snake oil salesman and politician. And nobody trusts either of them.
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Which "cost" are we talking about
I was inspired by your statement about "for every one person making 60,000 dollars per year or more there are a thousand making 35,000 per year or less." That sounded quite alarming. Here's a link to the latest household income study from the census from 2008 (called SAIPE), which estimates median household incomes:
http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/data/statecounty/maps/iy2008/med_hh_inc2008.pdf
The map on page 9 of this document gives you a color range of household income for every county in the country. The least populated counties have the lowest median income. Wealth tends to aggregate in highly populated areas, as does the higher energy use and higher energy costs.
The price of coal generated kWh doesn't include the actual cost to public health, air quality, and global warming. The only option that generates distributed opportunities along with the power, is locally based power. Rooftop works for me.
Thanks for your comments!
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Seth Masia
Liz Merry
