- 04 March, 2009 12:37 PM EST
- From Pounding To Cool Head
I recently shared my experience in going green. I have not, as of yet, shared the hiccups, nor the eventual completion of the project. Hiccups? Well, one little hiccup. The contractors couldn't find a ground on the electrical system of my 70s house. There was one for sure, but they couldn't find it. It was supposedly my responsibility to correct this in their eyes. I had my father-in-law, a retired real estate attorney check the contract and situation. It really wasn't my problem from a contractual perspective, but I knew I could get a viable ground in and it would be easier and probably less money than strong arming the solar contractor, so I did it. Moral of the story? Choose your battles.
When I contacted the project manager at the solar contractor, I got no response. I left several messages. Seems I contacted him on his last day there. My messages were eventually returned by the operations manager. He apologized and suggested that we were waiting on some parts and it might be awhile, to wit I said "then it might be awhile before I pay that large invoice." He got indignant, suggesting there was something wrong with me for potentially violating the contract. I reminded him that I contracted for a completed solar system - not a payment schedule. He acquiesced. The job was completed three days later. Moral of the story? Choose your battles.
Another moral is the continuation of the opportunity in chaos theme.
Now, it appears as though there may be a carbon tax where I live. That means electricity costs will go up. Mine are fixed. While many forecast the cost of photovoltaic systems plummeting, that prediction was predicated upon increased demand driving an increase in capacity and subsequent cost reductions - not some major innovation. Much has changed. While the incentives for going solar are still there, many are reluctant to embark on this type of capital project. The numbers, however, still add up. No matter how you slice it, we'll need electricity. So, during the day, I take at least one break to go downstairs and watch the meter spin backward. I can and do occasionally access the solar system from an intranet, but it's really not as satisfying as watching a physical meter spin backwards.
It seems like 5 minutes of news is enough to cause a myocardial infarction. It seems the good news that my solar system is completed, works well, and reduces our carbon footprint didn't seem to make the headlines. A lot of other good things don't - but they happen nonetheless. A Darwinian shakeout is occurring. Commerce continues, however, and recoveries are eventual. Be mindful of this and remain focused on the future.
