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Well folks,
the residential federal solar tax
credit of 30% is going away at the end of this year, so if you are
considering investment in a solar power system, you’d better get a
move on. There are so many unpleasant changes coming in the world of renewables – at least, in the U.S. But independent-minded people
will still continue to support clean energy incentives, and if you
know what’s good for you, you will too.
The U.S. is the largest net exporter of oil and gas, and has been
for several years. Therefore when conflict disrupts supply, it’s a
global shock that leads to an uptick in our economy. That’s sort of
a trap…because the more we benefit from high oil prices, the more
we’re likely to prop up the status quo: ICE (internal combustion
engine) vehicles, volatile markets, and fossil fuel infrastructure.
That’s how you miss the future. Most countries still depend on
fossil fuel imports, meaning a single geopolitical shock can stall
its whole economy—from inflation to supply chains to basic energy
access. You don’t get that kind of volatility from geothermal or
long-duration storage, much less the sun or wind. You just get
power. It’s time to stop thinking of clean energy as all about
virtue and recognize that it is the most stable, strategic asset a
country can build. It’s also the cheapest, quickest to go online,
and has the least environmental consequences; really, a no-brainer.
I do not understand why our legislators and congresspeople fail to
grasp the basic economics of this! But then, my wallet and election
campaigns are not getting greased with FF (fossil fuel) dollars.
Also, your state or utility may still offer incentives available for
you after 12/31/25; visit www.dsireusa.org to see what’s available.
USDA abruptly cancels rural energy grant
application window!
On June 30, USDA released a statement saying it had
canceled the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for
this fiscal year. The application portal has now been
closed and will reportedly re-open for new applications
on Oct 1. The program has a 20-year plus track record of
providing grants for solar, wind, energy-efficiency
upgrades, grain dryers, biodigesters, and other projects
in rural America.
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Data from the Solar Energy Industries Association.
It’s not all bad news. There are still some good deals to be had in
the realm of solar power. Thirty years ago, the price of solar
module was around ~$10 a watt. Now it’s a dollar a watt – or less!
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Renewable Energy News +
Is your electric bill getting higher? Thank LNG exports (for
starters).
https://utilitydive.com
The states where an EV makes the most sense.
https://cleantechnica.com
Nearly half of Americans are breathing unhealthy air.
https://cleantechnica.com
Do you have an energy saving project? This information may save you
money.
https://academized.com
The Energy Star program is being ended (sigh).
Sheep and solar.
https://glassalmanac.com
A perfect energy storm is coming to the U.S.
https://cleantechnica.com
Vests that help you stay cool in the heat.
https://www.grainger.com
Investment risks are highest for nuclear power, lowest for solar.
https://cleantechnica.com
The sensitivity of glaciers.
https://www.ipsnews.net
Atmospheric water harvester.
https://news.mit.edu
Clean energy and habitat protection.
https://cleantechnica.com
Wind farms longevity outlast expectations.
https://cleantechnica.com
Art and solar collide!
https://pv-magazine-usa.com
Myths and misconceptions about solar power.
https://pv-magazine-usa.com
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Another interesting fact:
There’s about four times the
amount of land devoted to golf courses in the U.S. as
there are solar and wind farms (about two million acres
versus 430,000 acres).
Interesting priorities, eh? |
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QUOTABLE QUOTES
Neither the land nor the birds yield their stories all at once. You
have to come back again and again.
-- Priyanka Kumar
The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie
about your age.
-- Lucille Ball
The air is the only place free from prejudice.
– Bessie Coleman
(early aviator)
What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is
what difference we have made to the lives of others that will
determine the significance of the live we lead.
– Nelson Mandela
I hope you love birds too. It is economical. It saves going to
heaven.
-- Emily Dickinson
I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter
who it is for or against.
-- Malcolm X, 1965
We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the
hands of a few, but we can’t have both.
-- Former Supreme Court Justice
Louis Brandeis
The real problem with humanity is the following: we have Paleolithic
emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology.
– Edward O.
Wilson
A solar panel is like a tree, it just continues to sit there and
absorb sunlight while we argue about stuff.
– Anders Alexander
We must, indeed, all hang together or, assuredly, we shall all hang
separately.
-- Benjamin Franklin
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Previous newsletter:
http://oasismontana.com/newsltr/2025-03/
and the one before that!
www.oasismontana.com/newsltr/2024-11
Our Newsletter Archives:
http://oasismontana.com/newsltr While
there is tons of useful information in our archived newsletters,
please ignore all pricing in any of the previous newsletters.
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