Tuesday, April 14, 2009 | 2:01 a.m.
Those who support the idea of making solar energy a major part of the nation’s electrical supply often don’t address the issue of cost to the people for the electricity.
As the recent uproar about NV Energy’s desire to raise your $100-per-month electrical bill to $119 proves, cost is a major issue for most of our state population.
The April issue of National Geographic magazine contains a supplement that states that for power plants coming on line in 2013, coal, natural gas, wind and nuclear power cost about 6 cents per kilowatt-hour, while solar costs about 22 cents. So going mostly solar would raise your electric bill from $100 to $360 per month. Most low-income and fixed-income people cannot afford that.
Though future discoveries could change the costs, it seems folly to bet your future on uncertain research outcomes. The government could pay for the solar installation so your electric bills will not go up. But since it gets money only from the people — one way or another — you will still pay. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
There are also people who suggest putting solar facilities on individual houses, but that is even more expensive — that is, not economical at this time.
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