Quote:
Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction
True, but you put the cost on to the developer. This is already done in some respects for different things. For example, developers used to get permits to develop and the municipality would adapt infrastructure to new developments.
But now in most large Canadian cities, the developer is responsible for upgrading things like flood control, storm drainage, access to the drinking water system (sometimes even have to build pump stations), and sometimes even building new bridges or more traffic lanes in the City.
I think you can do the same thing by forcing them to make the developments more energy sufficient by producing their own energy.
The technology needs to be developed more, but single houses have been built that are energy neutral. The technology should be scalable (not sure if that is a word), if we apply the funds to develop the technology.
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But if it is a large developer, it would make more sense, and be cheaper, for them to build a solar farm away from the development. Rooftop solar is expensive, limited by direction of the roof and pitch, and requires expensive control electronics in every home. That, and the distributed nature makes it tougher for municipalities to wire and manage the grid. So sure, you say "you need to offset each home with 1MW," or whatever, but do it in an empty field outside the city. Wind, solar, grid storage, take your pick. But having non-ideal panels and small batteries scattered all over makes little economic sense.