We all want to be environmentally friendly. We choose renewable energy resources whenever we can.

How would you feel about your city mandating that you go solar?

It’s happening now, in a town in Germany!

Margurg’s city council decided to require residents to install solar heating panels anytime their home goes thru a renovation, remodel, roof repairs or gets a new heating system. Any new construction is required to have them from the get-go.

There’s a fine for those that don’t comply.

Germany scores high in the world for the reduction of greenhouse gas and promoting renewable energy, but forced solar?

The town, like most, has building codes saying what people can and cannot do with their houses, with exceptions for hardships of course, but I can’t help but wonder how their forced solar green movement with sit with the general public.

Here in the states, you can acquire a small 45 watt solar panel system for just a couple of hundred dollars. These low end units create enough power to run a television, some lights and a computer, that is if you’re careful with your energy use. Large Solar systems carrying about 2500 watts can run $16,000 and more. While we’d all love to have one of these systems, few of us feel we can justify the expense of the initial outlay.

I’m so glad we have a choice.