paul

GE to Close Its Only U.S. Solar Panel Factory

Kind of reinforces two things; 1. Obama's plan to increase the cost of energy with "Cap n Trade" will eventually make the alternatives attractive. 2. Maybe Immelt has not had as much Obama cool aid as we think.

DVR Ad Skipping to Hit 18% in Two Years

I predict the end of free TV is coming. When advertisers learn that many of us mute the advertising audio during live programs and fast forward through commercials when using the dvr, the advertisers will refuse to pay large amounts to sponsor programs. It would also help their cause if so many of the commercials weren't so stupid that they insult your intelligence. But, I guess that is the audience they are seeking, people that don't think for themselves and are easily influenced.

GE Lives Up to Its Word

As a long term (30+yrs) sharelholder, I hope you are right. I am debating doubling down, but so far have not worked up the courage.

GE: Bringing the Electric Car to Life

Rumor has it that the EV-1 had a manufacturing cost 2x the leasing price which was 2x the market value. Once more the reality hits, the energy issue is an economic problem only solvable by R&D and time.

Solar Energy Is Up - But Wind Power Is Also Surging

Why does no one want to talk about what we do for power on a cloudy, still day? This means that there has to be back up equal to the wind or solar capacity. This is a major impact on the cost of both. Until there is a way to store the electrical energy efficiently, solar and wind will not become mainstream.

TV Execs Salivating Over Sarah Palin

Tom B should grow up and mature some. The rent-a-cops are no more owned by the RNC than the rent-a-cops that arrested many in Denver were owned by the DNC.

Reflections on GE's New Compact Flourescent Lightbulb

First the good news. I have outside lights that operate off photocells. In other words they come on at dusk and turn off when the sun rises. I have had cfls last over 5 years continuous in this application. The shortest life was about 3 years and the newer cfl lamps seem to be improving. It helps when you buy them 6 or 8 to a package. The price approaches $2.00 ea.

No one ever mentions the fact that a cfl used in an application that gets turned off and on often will dramatically shorten its life. This phenomenon is present in all flourescent bulbs. To get the long life you must leave on once turned on. A 4' tube flourescent life can be as short as 25% of the life if it is left on for at least 3-4 hours. You should never use a cfl with a dimmer. It takes a special electronic ballast to allow dimming of a flourescent lamp.

As you can see cfl lamps have a place but are not a "Green" panacea. Maybe LED lights will change this.