Can solar really become mainstream?

Industry analysts and solar advocates have announced they believe solar energy can become as mainstream as central air conditioning in terms of heating and powering houses and businesses.

It is believed that solar power's rise will continue thanks to increased state rebate cash, expiring electricity rate caps and a desire to help the environment. For example, the state of Pennsylvania's rebate program, enacted in May, reserved about $6.5 million of its $100 million allocation for approved and completed residential and small-business solar installations as of August 28, the most recent figures available, said John Repetz, a spokesman for Pennsylvania's department of environmental protection, which administers the program.

It is expected that the rise in solar power will be backed to the hilt by the consumer, as electricity rate caps continue to expire, which could cause significant increases in electricity bills.

Ascom, a Pennsylvanian electric company, said that while the casual prospective customers might experience sticker shock upon hearing a quote, the prospective customers who researched solar power beforehand are prepared to hear it.

The rebate will hugely benefit solar's cause, as some states will reimburse home-owners and small businesses as much as 35 percent of the cost to purchase and install solar energy technology. But the rebate is conditional. For example, some states require consumers to use installers approved by state environmental protection departments in order to qualify for a rebate.

Elsewhere in the USA, a Phoenix panel wants a Houston-based company to build a solar-energy plant at Phoenix's only active landfill, as it seeks to boost the its solar economy and cut its greenhouse-gas emissions. The project would generate 175 megawatts, enough to power about 27,000 Valley homes.

Spokeswoman Janette Coates said, "We want to take advantage of the high-solar density here. We certainly want to grow in the state and the region where we are located.

"We're excited at what this opportunity could represent in terms of building more solar plants in the state," she added.

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