Tonopah Solar Power

[Breadburner]

Here we go again...http://www.pv-tech.org/news/tonopah_solar_secures_us737_million_loan_guarantee_from_us_doe_for_its_cres.

[dbacks fan]

I posted this in the Solyndra section. Somewhere there is a Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi connection to this.

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2011/09/more-crony-socialism-obama-gives-737-million-to-pelosis-brother-in-laws-solar-firm/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2043282/Nancy-Pelosis-brother-law-given-loan-bigger-Solyndra-solar-plant.html

[heironymouspasparagus]

$700 million.  (solar industry)

$1200 billion.  ($1,200,000 million)  (insurance/bank bailout)

 
Which "investment" is better?
Another classic "mote in one eye - beam in another eye" moment.

[Breadburner]

$700 million.  (solar industry)

$1200 billion.  ($1,200,000 million)  (insurance/bank bailout)

 
Which "investment" is better?
Another classic "mote in one eye - beam in another eye" moment

**Stoner Alert**

[heironymouspasparagus]

**Stoner Alert**

Sounds good - we already knew to be wary of you, but when you are stoned, doubly so.

[swake]

$700 million.  (solar industry)

$1200 billion.  ($1,200,000 million)  (insurance/bank bailout)

 
Which "investment" is better?
Another classic "mote in one eye - beam in another eye" moment.

The bank bailout was. The cost of letting the financial system melt down would have been in the multiple trillions of dollars. Yes, with a T. And the banks are paying tarp back.

*Not that I am against renewable energy investment, but this idea that the bailouts were bad/evil is dangerous if we have to go there again, and we might before too long.

[dbacks fan]

Oregon company to file unfair trade suit against China:

SolarWorld to file a trade complaint today seeking tariffs on cheap Chinese panels flooding U.S.

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/10/solarworld_expected_to_file_a.html


Wonder how far this will go?

[heironymouspasparagus]

The bank bailout was. The cost of letting the financial system melt down would have been in the multiple trillions of dollars. Yes, with a T. And the banks are paying tarp back.

*Not that I am against renewable energy investment, but this idea that the bailouts were bad/evil is dangerous if we have to go there again, and we might before too long.

I actually supported the bailout, with a huge distaste for the entire process.  I recognize the worse evil of the depression that would have ensued.

What galls beyond all possibility of getting over is the fact that we have paid horrible prices for the bad behavior of a disgusting bunch of slime-ball maggots WITHOUT putting back in place controls that would prevent a repetition.  And it isn't just the latest - the same thing happened in the savings and loan situation after our first orgy of deregulation back in the early 80's.


As for solar energy - well there are niches to be filled, and First Solar appears to be threading its way through the maze, with at least some level of success.  In general though, for us as a nation to be funding a fully mature, fully commercialized industry is ridiculous - the whole idea that solar is the "next new thing" is just stupidity on behalf of the people buying the hype.  It has been a done deal for years.  By the Pacific Rim. 

[heironymouspasparagus]

Oregon company to file unfair trade suit against China:

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2011/10/solarworld_expected_to_file_a.html


Wonder how far this will go?

That goes to the whole topic of China's bad behavior in so many monetary and trade areas.  They probably will suck wind if they don't partner up with some other industries to go after the overall pattern of abuse.  That we have ignored for 20 years.  Maybe this President will do something to help our industry against their battle against China.  Or not....

I did see that McDonald's is set to open up over 700 new restaurants in China.  Now the kids can get Happy Meals with toys that they made themselves!!

(Yeah, I know...plagiarism is the sincerest form of theft.)

[nathanm]

As for solar energy - well there are niches to be filled, and First Solar appears to be threading its way through the maze, with at least some level of success.  In general though, for us as a nation to be funding a fully mature, fully commercialized industry is ridiculous - the whole idea that solar is the "next new thing" is just stupidity on behalf of the people buying the hype.  It has been a done deal for years.  By the Pacific Rim. 

I don't think that's an accurate assessment of the PV industry.

[Gaspar]

CNBC has now discovered by looking at cashed webpages that the DOE has been retroactively changing press releases on their web pages that refer to SunPower the $1.2 Billion dollar wasted project so that they now refer to another company.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/44963294

[Conan71]

CNBC has now discovered by looking at cashed webpages that the DOE has been retroactively changing press releases on their web pages that refer to SunPower the $1.2 Billion dollar wasted project so that they now refer to another company.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/44963294

This scandal should be more than enough proof that the DOE is nothing but a huge joke and it's failed it's purpose.  It's the classical wasteful bureaucracy.

[nathanm]

While I agree it is best practice to issue updated press releases with a new date, I don't really see the big scandal. NRG bought SunPower.

[Gaspar]

This scandal should be more than enough proof that the DOE is nothing but a huge joke and it's failed it's purpose.  It's the classical wasteful bureaucracy.

Any government agency that starts with the word "Department" is typically a waste.  Some are necessary, but others are redonkulus!

[nathanm]

Any government agency that starts with the word "Department" is typically a waste.  Some are necessary, but others are redonkulus!

Oddly enough, I consider the one that makes and maintains our nuclear weapons to be essential.