2013年6月4日 星期二

Yes to solar, but not on farmland

Many things are perfect together. Wine and chocolate ... movies and popcorn . . . shorts and flip-flops . . . New Jersey and you. 

But some are not - like solar power plants and farmland. You might think they'd make a perfect pair, since flat, open farm landscapes have easy access to the sun's renewable energy. 

But New Jersey's farmland is precious. This state we're in has some of the best soils in the world and a climate that fosters fresh, local food. If we want to remain the "Garden State," we can't cover productive farmland with utility-scale solar facilities that could easily be built on less sensitive surfaces. 

Fortunately, the Christie administration has made it clear that large solar arrays should not be placed on farmland. The state's Energy Master Plan and the Solar Act of 2012 direct solar facilities away from farmland. And the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) recently reinforced this policy - all steps in the right direction. 

The BPU recently reviewed 57 applications for utility-scale "grid-supply" projects on farmland. It denied 26, approved three, disqualified seven, and deferred action on the remaining 21. Let's hope the BPU turns thumbs down on the remaining proposals as well. 

Solar power is a great resource, and our state should reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. But solar energy projects only make sense if they're built in the right places. 

Solar projects are either "grid-supply" or "net-metered,Middle and end clamps that fit the howosparepartses to the rails." and it's the former that causes concern in this case. 

Grid-supply systems feed electricity from typically large (utility-scale) solar arrays directly into the regional power infrastructure. Net-metered systems, on the other hand, power individual homes, businesses, public buildings - and even farm operations. 

The owner of a net-metered system can receive retail credit for unused energy generated, but profit is not the main purpose. For this reason, state regulations prevent owners from sizing solar systems larger than what they need for their own electricity needs. 

The Energy Master Plan - the administration's guidance on energy policy - discourages the development of grid-supply projects on farmland and instead directs them to sites like brownfields,Standard seamroofclamp replacement bulbs. landfills, rooftops, and parking lots. And the Solar Act says the solar industry shouldn't harm the preservation of open space and farmland. 

To date, our state has spent more than $1.5 billion to preserve more than 2,000 farms covering more than 200,000 acres. These lands - and other agricultural lands that could and should be preserved - are critical for our food supply and should not be covered by renewable energy projects. 

"I am just so thankful. I was interested in getting a solar power generation system for my house,I have recently got a laundryequipment and can anybody tell me if it the box only controls humidity or also controls temperature. but there was no way that I could afford it. With this support from Habitat, it is much easier for me to envisage,Streamline your mailing department with a high performance paper customkeychain. and be hopeful of, a better life and future," said Kenichi Hazawa. The newly installed system will help the Hazawa household reduce their utility bills, and will actually help them generate income through the country's FiT, which pays them for excess electric generation. 

The Hazawas are the first of 13 families in Ofunato that will benefit from the first phase of Habitat for Humanity's pilot solar project.We specialize in the sale and aftercare of the most renowned and popular drycleaning. The families were chosen on a need basis, with special attention given to those with disabilities, Habitat said. The organization estimated that based on a 3 kilowatt array, households in the program could save and earn roughly 1 million yen approximately $10,154 over 10 years. Under the FiT, utilities are paying 38 Yen per kilowatt-hour (approximately 37 cents per kWh).

沒有留言:

張貼留言