Quote:
Originally Posted by biker1
I generally believe solar panels are a good idea. However, in your list below, you mentioned "No state tax incentives", presumably as an issue in FL. Please consider that tax incentives are essentially other people paying for your solar panels. You can argue that such incentives are necessary for increasing the market but there is no getting around the issue that there is no free lunch.
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biker: stated quite nicely. Federal tax credit mean taxpayers foot the bill. At many utilities customers subsidize solar users.
Its the same with autos. People who can well afford an expensive vehicle ranging from $30,000 (Leaf) and from $71,000 up to over $100,000 (Telsa) get a federal tax credit and some a state tax credit. I say expensive vehicles because at this point they are expensive electric toys. The replacement batteries cost anywhere from $5,000 for the Leaf to $30,000 for the Telsa
Telsa is so subsidized with other peoples money it is the only reason it is staying afloat.
Perhaps in the end we will all benefit from this? Hard to know. But I'd rather this all be market driven than government subsidized given the poor track record the government has in this area of green enterprises.
Recall the tax credit up to $7500 for anyone buying an e-merge electric golf cart and the subsequent bill sponsored by O'Toole?
I too am supportive of exploring renewables but the government's approach is going to cost us dearly in terms of tax credits and increased cost of fossil fuels for heating and transportation, etc , not to mention the exposure of compromising the nation's energy infrastructure because of their over reach.
Bringing it down to the local level why is it here in The Villages so many residents abandoned their electric golf carts for gas golf carts? Ethanol anyone?