Residents find (solar) power in numbers

[jpak]

http://origin1.mercurynews.com/business/ci_5406289

When Bruce Karney heard Portola Valley residents had banded together to buy home solar systems at discount prices, his first thought was to wonder why he hadn't thought of the idea.

His second was to figure out a way to get in on the deal.

Karney and his wife, Twana, both active residents of Mountain View, scanned their contact lists and found thousands of potential buyers in their own community. Soon they were pitching the idea to the local Rotary Club and getting stopped by acquaintances at the grocery store.

<snip>

The grass-roots effort, which is bolstered by a start-up solar installation company willing to give hefty discounts for bulk contract agreements, indicates how solar energy's popularity has become mainstream. More than ever, buyers are so eager to feel good about helping the environment while combating high energy bills that they are willing to form ad-hoc co-ops and work with businesses for affordable solar installation prices.

<more>

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I STILL say the gov't needs to bulk buy and sell at near-cost. But the stupid gov't

we have won't bulk buy anything. Not solar panels, not prescription drugs. :eyes:

[Shallah Kali]

2. Not while there is $$$$$$$$ to be made by their friends in the oil and drug industries

they would rather not merely drive the entire United States of America off a cliff but the entire human race running like lemmings after those $$$$$$.