<html>
<head>
<style>
.hmmessage P
{
margin:0px;
padding:0px
}
body.hmmessage
{
FONT-SIZE: 10pt;
FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma
}
</style>
</head>
<body class='hmmessage'>
<BR><SPAN class=a><FONT color=#008000><A href="http://www.nrel.gov/pv/thin_film/docs/lce2006.pdf">www.nrel.gov/pv/thin_film/docs/lce2006.pdf</A> </FONT></SPAN><BR><SPAN class=a><FONT color=#008000></FONT></SPAN> <BR>A little internet research turned up this paper published last year studying life-cycle and Environmental impacts of PV production and usage. It's a little technical, but the conclusion is that PV is definitely better than Fossil Fuels (Coal) but not as good as Nuclear or Wind over a 30 year lifetime. Essentially, PV is 3333% better than Coal, 1333% better than gas, equal to biomas and 300 to 400 % worse than either nuclear or wind. <BR>For me the major PV drawback is cost. $10-$12 per watt. <BR> <BR>I haven't found specific information for Maryland, but I do know in other states the state will provide incentives ($) to install residential PV systems, however they must be installed by eligable, qualified installers. State and Federal tax credits may be included. <BR> <BR>Also, congress is reviewing and voting (hopefully in the next few hours) to extend those federal tax credits for energy efficiency. They are set to expire this year. <BR><br /><hr />You keep typing, we keep giving. Download Messenger and join the i’m Initiative now. <a href='http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=CRM_WL_joinnow' target='_new'>Join in!</a></body>
</html>