Using solar power for good

Dear Editor:This letter is in response to Monday’s front-page article titled “Solar Energy Meets the Dark Side,” July 9. I do agree that the sight of solar panels springing up may be somewhat new to some, and maybe even disturbing to a few of our fellow citizens. And that it may take time before everyone understands what solar panels have to offer all of us. But I would ask your writers to keep their eye on the importance of solar energy, not on the juicy story some conflict might provide.While some local utilities are making broad advances in the use of renewable power (most notably Aspen Municipal Electric and Holy Cross Energy). The real dark side is what lurks hidden at the end of the wire that feeds many of our homes. Coal-fired electricity generation plants provide the majority of Colorado’s electrical power. Burning coal releases a witches’ brew of mercury, sulfur and the predominant greenhouse gas, CO2.Solar panels offer clean power that does not pollute our air, and helps contribute to a more stable climate for us and future generations. For those interested in learning more about global warming I suggest reading Dr. Joseph Romm’s book “Hell and High Water.” Skico’s Auden Schendler originally recommended this book to me, and it offers a very well-researched and authoritative review of recent literature on this critical topic.Finally, the article did not mention that the Community Office for Resource Efficiency offers solar rebates to full-time residents of the Roaring Fork Valley. These rebates are funded through the Aspen/Pitkin County REMP program. Please see http://www.aspencore.org or call (970)544-9808 to learn more.Gary GoodsonAssociate director/COREBasalt