oilpan4
Champion Author
Virginia
Posts:12,062
Points:306,900
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Message Posted: Jan 4, 2012 4:18:06 AM
"organic plastic" doesn't inspire confidence that it will hold up to heat and UV solar panels are exposed to constantly.
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six_ball_man
Champion Author
Rochester
Posts:8,548
Points:1,393,070
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Message Posted: Jan 2, 2012 11:06:37 PM
I have seen some estimates of $10 billion per year for oil industry subsidies here in the US.
Doesn't matter though, as the oil industry controls our government (or at least as much of it as they need to control to have things their way) and we are never likely to know how ending these subsidies will effect anything.
And the amount doesn't even matter, IMHO. An industry that PROFITS $10 billion per quarter and pays no income tax, does not need any money from joe sixpack's pocket other than what they get at the pump. PERIOD.
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mudtoe
Champion Author
Cincinnati
Posts:9,521
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Message Posted: Jan 2, 2012 12:42:21 PM
I take it you are referring to tax breaks to oil companies for exploration expenses. If so, that's an infinitesimal number compared to the dollar value of all the oil bought and sold in the world. On the other hand, subsidies and tax breaks are basically the only reason anyone buys solar panels, because what they cost versus the amount of electricity they actually produce is so far out of line that nobody would buy them otherwise.
Now, if this discovery can change that, then it's a good thing.
mudtoe
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six_ball_man
Champion Author
Rochester
Posts:8,548
Points:1,393,070
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Message Posted: Jan 2, 2012 9:17:47 AM
Oil is subsidized....just sayin'.
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mudtoe
Champion Author
Cincinnati
Posts:9,521
Points:1,290,315
Joined:May 2008
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Message Posted: Jan 1, 2012 1:27:59 PM
If this discovery is enough to turn a solar panel into a commercially viable product, that could compete with other forms of energy on its own merits without government subsidies or interference, that would be a very good thing.
mudtoe
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