New Orleans: Solar City Now More Affordable
Aug 26th 2009NOLA Solarnew orleans solar
The New York Times reports that prices for solar panels are dropping drastically. Given New Orleans’ Solar City aspirations this is probably really good news:
Not New Orleans: Solar Panel Installation
For solar shoppers these days, the price is right. Panel prices have fallen about 40 percent since the middle of last year, driven down partly by an increase in the supply of a crucial ingredient for panels, according to analysts at the investment bank Piper Jaffray. (NY Times)
Many have expressed concern over the price of a retrofit solar installation. Even with tax subsidies the price for a Solar Power installation is out of reach for many in New Orleans.
When considering solar it’s important to remembner the importance of other energy saving measures as well.
Another critical step toward an efficient New Orleans
Obviously efficiency and Solar go hand in hand. New Orleans’ Solar aspirations need to be measured against the age, quality and methods of construction.
Many experts expect panel prices to fall further, though not by another 40 percent.
Manufacturers are already reeling from the price slump. For example, Evergreen Solar, which is based in Massachusetts, recently reported a second-quarter loss that was more than double its loss from a year earlier.
Image credits:
- Solar Panel Installation: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/ / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Compact Fluorescent Bulb: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfllaw/ / CC BY-SA 2.0