[ausev] The idiocy of switching to RE for a ROI benefit

[Rob]

I'm having trouble parsing this reply?  RE?

I think this is has become great ON topic thread because the rational for
investing in alternatives is the #1 hurdle potential EV converters face.  It
appears that home solar has the same dilemma (and shares the same
enthusiasts).

ROI is very relevant - nearly every conservation I have about my EV starts
(and often ends) with "how long before you pay for it with the gas you
save?"  My conversion was all about getting past theoretical arguments and
getting real world experience so I can answer hard questions.  This list is
unique because we've got access 

I believe strongly that "alternative" energy will follow the same patterns
that other world changing innovations have followed: early adopters who use
the technology regardless of the ROI for their own reasons followed by savvy
investors and finally followed by people who have an economic motivation.
The hard part is to distinguish a savvy investor from a crack pot* early
adopter.  

Note: I use the term crack pot in a loving, nurturing, and totally
self-effacing way.

Rob

-----Original Message-----
From: ausev-bounces at austinev.org [mailto:ausev-bounces at austinev.org] On
Behalf Of Thomas Burbridge
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 3:47 PM
To: AustinEV News Announcements and General Discussion
Subject: [ausev] The idiocy of switching to RE for a ROI benefit


Greetings,


<soap box>
  <rant>
Frankly, I do not know how ROI became a part of switching over to personal
RE's.  

If you are T. Boone Pickens and you're building a large scale RE system and
reselling the energy to the public, ROI makes sense.

Sure the government will give you tax breaks and your electric bill will
begin to shrink.  But calculating how many years your 5kw solar or 2kw
wind/hydro system will "pay for itself" is a very poor excuse for justifying
the switch and should not be a part of a conversation regarding RE's.

 </rant>
 <my reasons>
I have four reasons for supporting RE:
  I have power when others have none (without the added noise of a
generator.)
  It's virtually portable (as seen in HP119)
  Recharges my eBike.
  I get to legally evade paying taxes.
 </my reasons> 
</soap box>

**Too much coffee this morning**

Cheers