sylviechen

Cleantech's Solar Conundrum

Another economic factor to consider is solar/wind power, smart metered into the existing grid from points of use. This demand depends on commercial financing or municipal bonds used to pay for renewable energy through special assessment on the property tax of a dwelling. California AB811 bill is one such case. If this program works it provides two benefits:
(1) it spreads the cost over a much longer period than the average household occupies the dwelling, making the annual cost much lower than leasing or financing.
(2) it levels the playing field for low income housing which currently cannot afford solar PV costs.

This all depends on the municipal bond market in the future, something not working in favor of California and its unfunded debt.

A New Use for Solar Energy - Highway Right of Way

Not such a stupid idea. Yes, placing on highway right of way creates other unrelated problems but the principle is sound. What it did spawn in my head was a modified version where concentrated solar plants (protected of course) are daisy chained on their own power distribution line. These lines connect to the grid.
I think this can also spawn coop arrangements in the right areas where wind power plants can hook into this distribution system. I suspect that this would spread the capital cost of the distribution system across multiple providers making renewable concentrated energy investments more practical.

Keep on driving and thinking...