An interview with Google’s green energy czar, Bill Weihl 5

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1. 

   vstross Posted 2:07 am
   07 Feb 2008

   Way to Google!I've been on the Google bandwagon for some time now and I want to first say, "Thanks for paving the way!"
   Additionally, be sure to include in your calculations that one of the quickest ways to reduce your carbon footprint and overall energy consumption is to become a vegetarian. In one simple step, one person, can make one change, with greater impact than switching from a Hummer to a hybrid, skipping your showers for a year, the CFL switch, or recycling ... combined!
   But I do say again - goGoogle! :)

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2. 

   sunflower Posted 4:56 am
   07 Feb 2008

   I am green with jealousy.We are a team of engineers, many at MIT, developing solar concentrators for high-intensity pv and solar thermal 24-hour power and steam.  We have the expertise in solar mirrors, power conversion, and thermal storage.    We have been saying "cheaper than coal" since 2000, and can prove it with deployed hardware.
   How do we compete with wealth-derived visibilities of Vinod Khosla and Bill Gross?   Are we now also competing with Google?

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3. 

   Solar Dick Posted 5:16 am
   07 Feb 2008

   Solar cheaper than coal in Tacoma  I design, build and repair solar photovoltaic systems that are cheaper than coal. I have the most energy efficient solar grid-tie systems in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
   
    I am Tacoma's first solar grid-tie and am not hiding from you folks with all the money that might be ready to walk your talk.

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4. 

   SmileItReflects Posted 1:01 am
   14 Feb 2008

   What's our priority?The SciAm article on Solar 2050 says "By 2050 solar power could end U.S. dependence on foreign oil and slash greenhouse gas emissions", but it's not very ambitious... The authors were pretty conservative considering the alternative: a carbon-intense world of heavily polluted air, water and soil.
   The social cost of that carbon-intense world is immense, when considering the combination of just 3 factors: its effect on human (and supporting biosphere) health, an aging population and the ever-rising price of patented drugs.
   So Google is moving in the right direction if they make up, and more, for their ravenous consumption. For Google is encouraging the use of computers, which raises electricity usage around the world... We can't of course stop using computers. But we can curb our cravings...
   Because the real question, now that we're facing the threats of mass extinctions, is "What's our priority?".
   
   

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5. 

   barbara santoro Posted 1:58 am
   22 Feb 2008

   Question for Bill WeihlWe are very interested in your interest in building small "green" businesses and appreciate the initiatives many are taking to improve life.  EnviroGard is a lawn mower manufacturer which is propane powered, has 10% better fuel economy, runs longer times while reducing toxic emissions by 80%, particulate emissions by 60%.  Propane sells for ~30% less than gas or diesel.  
   
   Non-attainment is a widespread problem.  Ozone Alert Days financially cuts the landscape business' bottom line.   With our mower's obvious benefits, why don't more people know and buy?  (See http://www.mow-green.com) We are not a large company. Not yet.  But with Goggle, that could change and so could the environment.  

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