Who would have ever thought about subsidizing green housing in a recession? This short and highly informative 5 minute video, courtesy of the NY Times, shows a small housing area called "Wisdom Way Solar Village" in Western Massachusetts that is devoted to green housing development. Specifically, highly efficient zero net energy homes that are powered by solar energy. All of the extra power generated is sold back to the grid thereby providing residents with an economic impetus to install more solar panels. Of course, this revitalizes a conservation ethic which is badly needed right now.
Sunlight is plentiful in this area making solar energy viable and economical. Housing units are between $210,000- $240,000 - which is reasonable considering the real estate market of Massachusetts. However, the subsidized units sell for $110,000 and are meant to attract low to middle income buyers. This novelty is very progressive, extremely practical and a wise undertaking. Homeowners of wisdom way solar village are saving money through the use of solar energy. Usually however, this is dependent on whether they are conservative in their energy use.
Renewable energy like solar, wind, geothermal, and the dubious hydro-electric have trade-offs. There is no perfect solution. But the subsidization of green homes through the installation of solar units is conservation to its finest. It also helps with climate change mitigation and adaptation which will become even more pressing in the next 15 years. Biodiversity is not being affected by such development, unlike hydro-electric dams which cause flooding, siltation and other problems. Two thumbs up for the progress of wisdom way solar village.
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