[Tom Farrell]

I spent over 40 years in the power construction energy, and have lived in the Villages for 3 years. I think we have the unique opportunity to try for a project to change the Villages to a solar energy national project. If we look into converting to solar energy (not just hot water), it would cost approx $40k. No one is interested that. However if there were about 40,000 houses that would get it done on a government sponsered stimulus program, the costs should could be substanially reduced, and we could be a model for the country;s green energy program.
How would the Villages be qualified for such a program? I am assumming we have about 40,000 houses based on our population of 75,000. We are in one of the sunniest areas of the country. Almost all houses are single story of standardized designs with ashphault shingle roofs. All are conducive to solar energy. They are grouped into an organized owner structure with individualized owners. The Villagers are a dynamic group that is constantly looking for improvedways of living.
I sent a suggestion for this to obtain stimulus funds for such a program to the Dept of Energy and the White House Stimulus Coordinator. I did not receive a reply from the WH (not sure if my email got there). THe Dept of Energy suggested I follow through the States stimulus progrom. I have presented to the Owners group with no response, and also to the POA organization again with no response.
I believe if we could get stimulus funds under the green energy prram for a Village Energy Project, we should be able to target the costs for a house to $10k where you could actually receive refunds for back flow of electricity to the grid. Also part of the program would be to update the energy efficiency of your house, to further reduce your energy costs as part of the government program.
I am open for suggestions as to how to get stimulus funds and Village support for such a green energy program, or if you think it far out, to drop it. Tom Farrrell