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Westport Newspapers Editorial

October 24, 1996

To the Editor,

The recent storm, which left thousands of Fairfield County residents without power, gave a strong message of how fragile and unpredictable our utility supplied electricity is. Many Westport residents learned quickly how much their lives depend on it. Many are also aware of the fact that all four Connecticut Nuclear plants shut down due to safety violations. The unpredictability of when, if ever, they will go back on line and with the almost certain cost increases due to huge utilities losses make the use of proven Renewable energy technologies more attractive.

Photovoltaics (P.V.) is one of the most promising of these technologies. Photovoltaics convert sunlight into electricity cleanly and quietly and can be used immediately or store in batteries. Developed in the 50's for powering satellites, P.V. systems are now used to supply electricity in everything from pocket calculators to commercial buildings.

Currently the largest markets for P.V. manufacturers are in developing countries that cannot afford to build nuclear or fossil fuel burning plants. In this country, unfortunately, the use of photovoltaics has been more or less limited to remote applications, such as rural homes. The Europeans and Japanese, however, have outfitted thousands of homes and commercial buildings with photovoltaics. New systems that integrate solar cells into building facades and roofs have been developed that make them more functional and attractive. Referred to as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (B.I.P.V.), the modules actually replace standard building elements such as curtain wall glazing, skylights and roof tiles. One company is about to begin manufacturing P.V. modules that look like and replace asphalt shingles.

Public opinion has always been extremely supportive of renewable energy and with the current situation in Connecticut, it would seem the perfect time to invest in them. I propose that the utilities re-route the hundreds of millions of dollars spent to import out of state electricity and to repair these disabled and dangerous reactors into distributed photovoltaic systems and other energy efficient investments. The costs to the companies and the consumers would fall dramatically with this economy of scale. This shift would add thousands of jobs to Connecticut, especially in regard to the fledging defense industry.

The environmental and health costs of continuing to rely on nuclear energy and fossil fuels are becoming more unacceptable each year. Global warming is believed by the scientific community to be a direct result to fossil fuel emissions. The risks of using nuclear energy, in terms of a Chernobyl type accident, ongoing routine radioactive emissions and the storage of highly radioactive waste, are ever present. Our fiscal and national security costs to maintain our dependence on foreign oil are enormous. Renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaics are clearly the more reliable and cleaner solution to our energy needs. Although clouds may obscure the sun occasionally, it will continue to shine and offer hope for an energy independent and healthful future in Connecticut and all the world.

Sincerely,

John Rountree, AIA