Capitalist for Conservation by
Michael Pruznick
I am the proud owner of the premier privately funded free market residential rooftop net-positive solar array in the city. AT 32 KW, the array is rated to produce enough green energy to power more than five average homes for less than the government owned utility charges. My journey began in 2011, when the city created the Sustainability Department with the awesome goal to, "increase coordination, accountability, and collaboration amongst the three functions of sustainability." Armed with data showing residential rooftop solar would pay for itself over its lifetime, I went to the outreach roadshows and advocated for net-zero building codes. At the time, the city leaders were not ready for the shift, and in many ways, they still are not. I hope the success of my project will be their inspiration.
As for me, I was ready, willing, and able. By 2013, I had my first net-positive design ready. Unfortunately, my design was too green for one of the greenest cities in the world. The city didn't want to make net-metering payouts nor did it want to upgrade my transformer. So, I downsized the project to meet these requirements and got the unofficial thumbs up. But, it came with an unexpected caveat. I had to comply with the 120% Rule first, a law that prohibits a home from using solar to offset natgas and gasoline use. Climate Change cannot be solved with such restrictions, so I spent the next few years trying to change this policy with no luck.
Eventually, the city unwittingly caved in. By changing their electric rate structure from expensive tiers to time-of- day with unlimited low-cost off-peak, they made it affordable for me to comply by converting from clean natgas to dirty coal-fired electricity. However, before I could complete the transition, they changed the law and cut the amount of solar I qualified for in half. This killed my fossil fuel free project. The Greening of America isn't a cost or technical issue, it is a political issue.
I wish I could find something good to say about the government's environmental agenda, but five council members that ran to protect the environment voted to harm it. I offered the two new council members, "I would like to invite both of you to my home to show you what I'm doing," and they declined. As part of HB19-1261, The State Climate Action Plan, I made my state legislators the offer, "Let me know if either of you would like a tour of my house and detailed presentation," but they too declined. With Climate Advocates like these, the Climate Deniers can retire.
I would like to thank CFORCE for understanding how my solution represents the moderate middle by giving the right the lower cost they want and the left more renewables sooner. Tired of waiting for the government to embrace renewables? Tired of hearing how it will cost more? Then, do your part to support residential rooftop solar for less by becoming a PruzLabs member today.