The problems with solar power
Greenpeace founder prefers geothermal, nuclear and hydro power
Planners in central Massachusetts see energy efficiency and renewable energy as keys to the region's future economic development.
If rising electricity prices do drive consumers toward renewable and efficient means of electricity production, businesses will spring up around that movement.
Planners also favor local control of utilities as a way to create jobs and reduce pollution.
But people must choose, and advocate for, the right means of making electricity in order for the economics to work, said Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace, and now chairman and chief scientist of Greenspirit, an environmental consulting group.
Moore recently spoke at an "Environmental Energy Solutions" forum sponsored by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance last week.
Energy subsidies
"It's enterprise, entrepreneurs, industry, invention and technology that is actually the answer to this problem," Moore said of the world's over-reliance on fossil fuels to make electricity.
While many in the environmental community are jumping on the solar panel bandwagon, Moore was critical of the latest fad pushing solar power to the forefront. He said people are wasting their money trying to "look green" when they buy solar panels for their homes.
And the sleek appearance and high visibility of solar panels themselves tend to attract dollars.
"Subsidies for solar are taking money away from geothermal, nuclear and hydro" power development, Moore said.
Moore said $20,000 invested in solar panels produces about $100 worth of energy.
On the other hand, $20,000 invested in a ground source heat pump – known as geothermal energy – produces about $1,300 worth of energy, Moore said.
"Which would you rather subsidize?" he asked. Moore is a former vice president of Waterfurnace International, a manufacturer of geothermal heat pumps for residential heating and cooling.
For now, it seems the government would rather subsidize the "attractive, nice, neat, shiny, clean and techie-looking" solar panels, Moore said.
Michael El-Hillow, COO of Evergreen Solar in Marlboro, said "the cost of solar is about two times what you pay for a utility, but the government subsidizes it."
Evergreen recently announced the construction of a brand new $150 million facility, thanks in part to a $44 million state financing package. The company plans to double its workforce by adding 350 to 375 new jobs.
Other options
Meanwhile, other cleaner, more cost effective technologies are either not getting the attention they deserve, or face opposition from radical environmental groups like Greenpeace, Moore said.
According to the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC), Worcester is an almost perfect location for wind power.
But residents don't want windmills in their neighborhoods.
Suzanne LePage, regional services manager with the CMRPC, said she left Moore's presentation "heartened."
"We would like to find ways to localize energy for security purposes, and for predictability," LePage said. "Ideally, more communities could own and operate their own utilities."
LePage said nuclear power, which Moore strongly advocates, may not be the best fit for Central Massachusetts, but admits, "I haven't done enough research to say there's one energy source that's better than the other."
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