Re: [Phys-l] Another try

[Stefan Jeglinski <jeglin@4pi.com>]

> 	Here at the University of Arizona, the campus is cooled with ice.  At
> night when the air temperature is lower and the electric rates are
> lower, ice is made.  During the day the ice cools the campus.  I am told
> that UA has the second largest cooling system in the world behind the
> Pentagon.

I was working for my company and visiting in Phoenix 2 years ago, 4 
years ago, and then recently (4 months ago). Just a week at a time, 
but I got around a little bit. The growth in this city seems 
phenomenal. In the outlying areas, many new subdivisions are going 
in, quite a few I would describe as "upscale." Being from the East, 
I'm naive about this, but I was somehow expecting to see more solar 
assist technology. If not panels on the home roofs for at least some 
electricity, then at least solar-assisted water or home heating. I 
saw none, particularly in the new home construction.

Hard to believe there's a better place for solar than Phoenix. Yes I 
know that solar is not necessarily cost effective, but with energy 
prices these days, I somehow expected to see more, if for no other 
reason than politicians creating tax breaks or green movements just 
taking advantage. Is home solar considered a non-starter in Phoenix, 
or was I just blind? My friends in Phoenix are hardly scientific 
types, but I got blank stares from them when I asked.


Stefan Jeglinski