I was amazed and encouraged to read that Germany plans to cease nuclear power production within the next 11 years (Germany will phase out nuclear power by 2020). Recognizing the inherit dangers of nuclear reactors, as demonstrated recently in Japan, they are going to be looking to other sources of power or energy savings to make up for the existing 25% of their electrical power which is currently being generated through nuclear power plants. In the sort-term natural gas will make up for much of the difference in fuel sources.
Additionally, chancellor Angela Merkel, stated Germany would like to "reduce our CO2 emissions by 40 percent and double our share of renewable energies from about 17 percent today to 35 percent."
I just checked yesterday with a solar company about installing panels on our roof. Turns out with trees and a hill we wouldn't get enough sun to make it worthwhile. However the person I talked to at Innovative Power Systems, indicated we could have been eligible for a 30% rebate from the local electrical company and a 30% rebate from the federal government. It seems like for those with clear access to the sun should consider the long-term positive return on investment for solar electricity.
On a side note, yesterday I think that the laundry dried outside on the line just about as fast as it would have in a drier. We had bright sun, low humidity and a stiff breeze.
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