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Vision in the Solar Industry
It's been a while since visiting the GoGreenSolar community and I wanted to discuss the role vision serves in creating where we are headed with Solar Energy in North America. We have a variety of issues with an aging North American Grid, a need for a universal quality assurance framework for Solar in North America ( some of this leadership is emerging ). What is our vision and do we have a future vision for solar? The E.U. for example, has solid plans and mechanisms to guide and direct where they see themselves in a low carbon future. What is our vision in North America?
Vision and planning are integral to achieving a lasting clean energy future. Is the recession affecting our vision? What are you're thoughts on this?
Thanks
Vision and planning are integral to achieving a lasting clean energy future. Is the recession affecting our vision? What are you're thoughts on this?
Thanks
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Deep Patel on -
Anja, thank you for kicking off this discussion. I agree that vision and planning are very important. The US market has the potential to be the largest in the world, although there is some serious policy work that needs to be done before solar can go mainstream in the US.
I don't think the recession is helping the industry but its not hurting it either. what do you think?
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Permalink Reply by Anja Atkinson on -
Hi Deep,
Thanks for your reply. I agree with you that policy work needs to be done. Sound and thoughtful policy is really vital to ensuring future solar development isn't interrupted and it creates stability in the market. I recently did a short article about Global Solar Center in New York and they sparked my interest. Often where there's a vacuum of policy, the private sector will do a lot to provide leadership, guidance and vision. You yourself provide that, as do many others around the world.
I also believe strongly in individuals having the freedom to contribute to the improvement of their communities and have there contribution matter. We all want that, it makes us feel good. We've seen such a crushing of small scale entrepreneurship and vision in this age of the mega-mega-corporation in North America and elsewhere. There is a lot of untapped potential in communities that really only needs a spark of opportunity to ignite creative innovation for clean energy projects. Vision can be local and often works better when it is, I feel, especially with something like solar. A universal clean energy vision for North America has it's place, but the real world scenarios need to be suited to community needs. But these two ideas are not at odds with each other. They can be complimentary and progressive.
The North American Grid needs a lot of help. Not just the concept of moving to a smart grid but just an overall improvement in the existing parts of the Grid. I'd like to do some more research on this important topic. It's a pretty big chestnut but well worth understanding, because it's so integral to our future energy success.
As for the recession it affects everything I think. I talk to people 5 days a week in the U.S. and Canada in a different market sector not related to solar. When you mention the word recession some folks seem to think some positive thinking will make it all go away, others want to blame the government. Some folks are affected and others not so much. I'm a pragmatist so I'm happier seeing things are they are and working from there.
Solar is here to stay and it will always be one of our very best answers to long term global energy management. Recession or no recession, Solar can't be put in the closet again like they did in the 70's. Solar can only stand to grow and create jobs and make things better everywhere. You can't keep a idea whose time has come down. Smarter is better than bigger.
Good to hear from you Deep.
