Even if this type of project only provides a small fraction of the energy we need, it is great to see funding and construction because experience building systems like the one in the article will lead to more effective systems in the future.
My wife and I live in Arizona (in the mountains) and we are having solar panels installed on our roof in 2 weeks that will furnish 100% or more of our electricity needs for about 10 months a year (and we will often make a little money back selling back power to our utility company) and cover about 50% of our needs the two months a year that we run our air conditioning.
A few friends have been critical of our decision for monetary reasons, and they may be right, but it is something we wanted to do. Also, if prices for energy, food, etc. increase dramatically, then we will break even on costs sooner rather than the anticipated 6 or 7 year time frame.
My wife and I live in Arizona (in the mountains) and we are having solar panels installed on our roof in 2 weeks that will furnish 100% or more of our electricity needs for about 10 months a year (and we will often make a little money back selling back power to our utility company) and cover about 50% of our needs the two months a year that we run our air conditioning.
A few friends have been critical of our decision for monetary reasons, and they may be right, but it is something we wanted to do. Also, if prices for energy, food, etc. increase dramatically, then we will break even on costs sooner rather than the anticipated 6 or 7 year time frame.