Solar Panels haven’t received the attention that I think they deserve. Too often they are dismissed as an infeasible and expensive environmentalist dream. Myths about high costs and low yields have plagued the product since its creation. But as Nelson Smith pointed out on his Canadian Finance Blog ( http://canadianfinanceblog.com/how-to-screw-the-power-company/ ), consumers need to start evaluating the costs/benefits of installing solar panels in their own homes. Smith argues that it can actually be quite economically sound to install solar panels in ones home, provided that the cost is off-set by a long life cycle. Not only would this decision be considered a green initiative, but it could in fact provide a source of free power after a number of years.
Government subsidies are also available for those who opt to adopt the solarpanels. This changing consumer mentality and the initiatives for renewable sources of power seem to come together very well. Solar panels may not be the answer to both a financially and environmentally sound future of energy, but I believe that they may be a step in the right direction. Equating the need to be both environmentally friendly and economically sound should be a priority for both consumers and governments.
