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Our greatest natural energy resource is the sun
Let us harness the sun -- free, limitless, available without cost of renewal or maintenance. The San Joaquin Valley is the perfect place for this source of energy.
Currently we use natural gas, hydroelectric, nuclear and, minimally, some other sources of energy. These have unique drawbacks that solar power does not have.
With our ample year-round sunshine, we can have solar panels to bring heat to our homes and commercial buildings and sun porches built to trap the warm sunlight and distribute it to the rest of the house.
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Solar farm specifics
Solargen Energy Inc. isn't alone in proposing major new solar-power projects in and around the San Joaquin Valley. Other plans include:
San Joaquin Solar 1 and 2, a 106-megawatt plant proposed six miles east of Coalinga, would use solar-thermal technology - using mirrors to focus the sun's heat on pipes, heating water to steam that would spin generating turbines. At night, a biomass plant would burn agricultural wastes to keep the turbines spinning.
Carrizo Energy Solar Farm on the Carrizo Plain of eastern San Luis Obispo County, another solar-thermal plant with a proposed generating capacity of 177 megawatts.
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Better choices
Sustainable hydro, wood, solar thermal, wind and geothermal were the major sources of energy that resonated with me on Feb. 22.
Burning wood is certainly out of the question in the San Joaquin Valley air basin. Nuclear energy on Feb. 22 was certainly the target of the six or so extremists in the audience and Dr. Patrick Moore dealt with the street theater with the same disdain and dignity as the vast majority in the audience.
However, as an audience member, hydro, solar thermal and geothermal sustainable energies left a positive impression as San Joaquin Valley energy opportunities.
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Fresno shines on solar energy lists
Fresno's hot sun -- and the cost of cooling everything it bakes -- has catapulted the city onto Top-10 lists for solar projects.
Fresno ranks third in the state for the number of kilowatts its solar projects produce, according to a recent report ranking California cities.
The city also ranks fifth for the number of projects on roofs, with Clovis close behind at seventh.
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Fuel the debate
I appreciate the letter from Michael Becker (Feb. 24) advocating increased use of solar power to meet more local energy needs versus building and maintaining a nuclear power plant in Fresno. I think I am typical in my lack of comprehensive understanding of the subject. It would be a wonderful service to the community debate if The Bee would publish a thorough article to help citizens like myself make sense of all the facts and factoids out there.
For example, over a 50-year period, what would it cost to build and maintain a nuclear facility versus making solar power more affordable for homes, businesses and public buildings here (keeping in mind construction, legal fees, workers' compensation costs, salaries, storing wastes)?
Assuming that we will probably always need a variety of sources of power, how much of our energy needs could we meet with solar fuel versus nuclear? Which would really create more quality jobs for people in Fresno? How much of a difference can we make by enforcing conservation and
I think it's a very bad idea to put a nuclear power plant in Fresno. The serious problems far outweigh the benefits.
I built a 2,600-square-foot home with a solar energy system last year. The system cost me $19,000 (after a $9,000 rebate).
My electric bills are half those of my next-door neighbor, whose house is smaller than mine (2,200 square feet). This neighbor works for the utility so he gets a discount.
This is the Valley! Solar is undoubtedly the way to go. Of course, the big energy companies don't like solar because they can't charge us for it.
Solar is a win-win-win situation: We reduce fossil fuel dependence, improve the environment and save money. Nuclear energy plants have the potential to have nuclear accidents. Why should we put ourselves in harm's way, when we have other options?
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