No more free sun: AZ power utility wants to tax solar

[Z00]

No more free sun: Arizona's biggest power utility wants to tax solar

http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-ene ... roved.html

Thogey?

[avidbrandy]

This has been tried in several places in recent years, but fortunately it's been shot down every time so far.

Yay. took me a bit of digging but I found it again. Read a great article last week about this:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/20 ... irrelevant

[Z00]

Very interesting article. I have been seriously considering having a complete off grid solar system installed along with a propane powered whole house backup. Since it is a mobile home and an all electric system (including heat) I am going to be looking to eliminate the power company.

1 thing I am uncertain about is the effect that a CME or EMP would have on the panels. I know that the electronics involved would be at risk, but what about the panels themselves?

Something to ponder.

[johnbrickner]

ZOO:

Frankly, regarding the panels themselves I have no idea. However, at one time in his inventing career my father made an EMP/surge suppressor, certified by JPL and purchased by the Canadian govt. for use in their military mobile communications systems. So I know they can be had to protect your sensitive digital electronic equipment.

[knibloe]

Some states are also considering a mileage tax on electric cars because they are missing out on the gas taxes.

[Sheikh_yer_Bu'Tay]

Thanks for the article and thread! This is good stuff for me to read.