Friday 25 March 2011

Solar Power


In my last post I was explaing that electric central heating in one of these old farmhouses is for the rich only. Worse is to come, as the price of electricity is going to rise above inflation next year. This is due to the rise in solar panels. 

“What?” do I hear you say? “But surely!” 

No, it is not logical. But the Czechs seem to have got themselves in a fix. As I understand it under a laudable scheme to encourage alternative and more sustainable fuels, subsidies were offered to people setting up solar panels with a guarantee to buy the energy produced at a certain price. Nice idea but can you see the flaw? 

Subsidised investment with guaranteed profit. The profiteers were on it immediately. The scheme was too successful – there were too many investors making a killing. And who is to pay the costs? The poor average Czech Joe, through the electricity bills,  who couldn't afford to get on the solar panel gravy train in the first place. When this became public, there was naturally an uproar. The politicians tried to get out of it, but no, the investors had contracts and lawyers. 
And that is why my husband, son and I have just spent the afternoon stacking firewood ready for next winter.

4 comments:

丽 娜 said...

ok, now I know why our electric bill has been so high (too high I must say). It doesn't help when u come from a tropical country

FIXED BAYONET METAL SOLDIERS said...

do you know anything about czech tailors for men as regards good cheap ones. im coming for a holiday and thought i'd get a suit made.thanks

Unknown said...

It does seem a shame that normal home-owners were effectively priced out of the 'green option'. You might be interested to know though that the Czech government appears to be in process of renaging on its promise of subsidies and tax benefits to private equity investors in solar, who are therefore looking to abandon their solar projects as quickly as possible. Hope for the man on the street yet!

CzechingIn said...

It does seem a shame that normal home-owners were effectively priced out of the 'green option'. You might be interested to know though that the Czech government appears to be in process of renaging on its promise of subsidies and tax benefits to private equity investors in solar, who are therefore looking to abandon their solar projects as quickly as possible. Hope for the man on the street yet!

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