Solar could help pay maintenance in greensboro

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Now might be the time for a REAL CHANGE in the way city-owned property is maintained in Greensboro and Guilford County.
If the city produces some of the energy used by publicly-owned buildings, the money saved could be used to maintain those very buildings.

Diane G. Davis
905 Fairmont Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 378-4457


September 4, 2006


Letters to the Editor
The News & Record

edpage@news-record.com

Please consider this letter for publication. Thank you.


Now is the time for a REAL CHANGE in the way we pay for maintenance of city-owned property in Greensboro.
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The city can produce energy by using the roofs of publicly-owned facilities. This energy can be sold or used within the building. The money saved can be used to help defray maintenance costs of those very buildings.

As roofs are replaced or repaired on existing city-owned buildings or installed on new facilities, they can be fitted with energy producing solar units. The project would cost less if done as roof repair or replacement is done. Solar Power helps reduce pollution by reducing the need for more coal-burning or nuclear-powered energy plants. Clean solar power pays for itself.

City Manager Mitch Johnson told me that Solar Power is not economical and not a good option for city buildings in Greensboro. He did say that the Melvin Building has passive solar because there is a sky light into the plaza area.

I urge citizens of Greensboro and Guilford County to write, call, e-mail or speak to elected officials at meetings. Suggest that Solar Energy be explored. It is being used in other cities in the US and around the world. It just makes sense.

Thank you,
Diane Davis