have not included a single panel of solar electric generation. [modify this sentance if some solar has already been installed or planned] If this trend continues, new construction, with a useful life of over 50 years, will continue to drain energy, rather than being energy neutral much less energy producers. Instead of being a leader in sustainable growth, the region will pass along a massive, costly, energy debt to future generations.

Solar energy is more than just technology. It is a mindset. It encompasses energy conservation as well as the development of other regional renewable energy sources working in concert.

What is a Solar City?

A solar city is a municipality that embraces the concept that a significant portion of electrical energy demand will be generated locally by capturing the free energy of the sun over the next 20 years.

This "embrace" has to be more than just an occasional hug. Several of the key players must be: willing to act proactively; the community needs to eventually support it, and a strong grassroots presence will be required to keep momentum from flagging.

While it is challenging to reach this goal economically using today's technology alone, it can be achieved by incorporating the next generation of solar technology that is moving from the "proof of concept" pilot plant stage to sustainable, affordable, commercial development.

A reminder. The sun does not send a utility bill each month. No increases in the cost of fuel. No negative consequences for the environment. The energy produced is clean, non-polluting. Routine maintenance is far less than that for fossil fuel plants

The fuel does not have to be transported -- no oil spills or dangerous explosions and fires. No radioactive wastes. No greenhouse gases. No health hazards. All the systems can be manufactured in the U.S.A. Reduced dependence on imported gas and oil reduces the trade deficit. And it is impossible to outsource the installation of these systems -- which translates to jobs, jobs, jobs.

There appears to be a fundamental difference between the European concept of what steps come first in planning a sustainable building, neighborhood, or community. Here, Green building advocates stress energy efficient building practices, with solar as an important, but secondary, consideration.

When the Europeans talk about Renewable Energy and the construction of low energy buildings, they refer to "solar architecture". For them, free solar energy is the fuel of the not-to-distant future (they are decommissioning nuclear plants, not building new ones), and the structures that are being built today must be planned to take full advantage of forthcoming solar technologies. They also encourage the construction of "Plus Houses", those that generate more energy than they consume on an annual basis.

But a solar mindset requires building the necessary infrastructure:

If Savannah[city] wants to become the Solar City of the South[region], however, it's going to have to hustle. Cities in Florida, North Carolina and Texas already have a head start. Compared to other states, Georgia isn't even out of the dressing room, while many others are already on the field, playing the game to win new business, new industry, and many more jobs.

[ incorporate actions, if any taken by your state The State of Georgia lags far behind many other states that use a combination of grants, rebates and tax relief to develop a solar energy infrastructure.] Manufacturers and vendors will not spend their marketing dollars, and will not build facilities, in states that do not have incentives for renewable energy production.

But what can happen if Savannah[city] makes a solar commitment? Take the example of the medieval university city of Freiburg, Germany. Located in the southwestern, slightly warmer part of the country, nestled in the foothills of the Black Forest, this city embraced solar, built thousands of energy efficient, solar-powered residential units, attracted nearly 250 new businesses, including the largest manufacturer of solar panels in Germany, and is generally considered to be the green capital of Europe. It is a prime destination for ecotourism and hosts symposia, trade shows and regional meetings.

For solar, and all renewable energy sources, the future is now.

2007 could be the start of a significant campaign to reduce energy demand in both new construction and renovations.

2008 will be the tipping point year for solar energy.

2009 will be the tipping point year for cellulosic production of ethanol (made from agricultural and forest waste, special grasses and trees, rather than food grade corn)

2010 will be the tipping point year for the production of biodiesel derived from algae and for incorporation of micro-wind turbines on residences and large commercial buildings.

2011/2012 will be the tipping point years for the production of hydrogen by methods other than the energy intensive splitting of water molecules; and the development of the next generation of fuel cells.

(By tipping point I mean that period of time when commercial development has proved to be economically feasible and begins to attract major capital investment.)

Within five to six years the entire energy picture will undergo substantial change, yet the major players and stakeholders seem to be blissfully unaware. There is pathetically little leadership to build the kind of infrastructure necessary to take advantage of the new wave in energy production.

The major players include:  [review this list and add or delete as appropriate for your city]

While there are a handful of notable exceptions, there is no significant leadership from any of the major players[modify, if necessary, to reflect your situation]. The only really bright spot is the emergence of "green building" practices by some developers and architects, but they represent only a tiny fraction of current and projected construction.

Unfortunately, even proponents of energy conservation say "Solar energy is too expensive". That is an incomplete sentence. Too expensive compared to what? Fifty to sixty years of new construction dependent on fossil fuel?

As can be seen in Canada, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Japan and Australia, as well as Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas, today's higher costs can easily be justified by:

Economies of scale in manufacturing, plus the development of new technologies, will start bringing prices down dramatically within a few years.

Current technologies employ roof or pole-mounted solar thermal or solar photovoltaic panels to heat water or provide electricity for individual structures. Solar installations can be incorporated in individual structures and also on "solar farms" -- acreage specifically set aside to provide electric power for a community or subdivision.

Individual Structures

Too few homeowners and new homebuyers are taking advantage of the current federal tax credit (30% with a $2,000 cap) available for solar installations.

Solar panels that heat water for residential and commercial use, as well as for swimming pools, are currently justified on all new construction. Payback varies from 3 to 8 years for units that have a useful life of over 20 years. Residential energy costs would be cut by 10 to 15 percent.

With Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), photovoltaic material becomes an integral part of the building: the walls, roofing materials, and glass. Sunlight falling on the photovoltaic components creates electricity. The skin of the building produces electricity to be used by the building.

Community-based Solar Power

Presently, there are four major technologies that will produce electric power at the same level as many power plants -- over 300 megawatts (MW) -- and at lower cost per kilowatt than roof mounted photovoltaics. These solar concentrators, approximately six to an acre generating from 150 kW to 180 kW per acre (enough for 36-40 residence units), provide even less expensive electricity.

Presently, solar farms built around these technologies, have been, or are being, installed; and more orders are anticipated. Manufacturers state that as they ramp up production prices will fall to as little as $2 per watt, making them competitive with fossil fuels. At the present time, concentrator technology requires substantial acreage to be cost competitive. However, once economies of scale are reached, 30 to 40 acre solar mini-farms will be feasible.

Implications for residential and commercial development

At the present time local planners, developers, and builders do not appear to be taking into consideration the explosive growth of solar capability that will be commercially available in just a few years.

[in all likelihood, no acreage is being set aside in your area -- but modify is there is] As a result there is no planning for setting some acreage aside to produce electricity within the development. It is estimated that setting aside 3% to 4% of the total acreage of a development would provide nearly half of the electric requirements of the residential and commercial structures, with a payback period of less than 14 years and a useful life approaching 25 years.

From a solar perspective, the ideal community would draw power from a local solar farm, and each residential or commercial unit would have an individual solar hot water system and about 2 kW of roof or pole mounted photovoltaic modules. This mix of solar sources combined with energy efficient construction, the use of Energy Star appliances, and low wattage lighting could yield Zero Energy buildings.

In addition to the obvious benefits of reduced dependence on fossil fuels, the elimination of greenhouse gasses, and the reduction in air pollution, incorporating solar facilities in local developments will also create jobs and help build a number of new local businesses, and make Savannah and Chatham County an even more desirable place to live. A positive approach to solar will also stimulate more tourism as part of the growing interest in ecotourism.

[the following section is specific to savannah - detail existing areas of your city that can easily accomodate solar]  To examine the solar potential for existing structures, for example, let's take a drive down Abercorn from Derenne Avenue to the Savannah Mall.

All of the other commercial arteries in and around Savannah could also become energy generators.

The industrial complexes near the airport have acres of rooftops for solar electric systems and marginal land that could host solar fields.

Solar fields could be situated on the margins of Hunter Army Airbase, and in some stretches of I-16 and the Truman Expressway. A few offshore wind turbines could supply significant energy to Tybee Island.   [end detail]

None of the above considerations are pie-in-the-sky. They could be phased in over a period of 10 years, create hundreds of jobs, and help make Savannah[city] the Solar City of the South[region].
All forms of solar and renewable energy are major job creators and local wealth builders. They deserve subsidies, grants, and low interest loans, for both new construction and retrofits, to help attract and build a flourishing industry right here, in Savannah[city] and the Coastal Empire[region].