LETTERS: Subsidize solar homes, not solar plants

To the editor:

Why is it that these solar plant projects are located out in the desert, upsetting the environment while being subsidized by the government to the tune of billions of dollars? The more sensible solution would be for the government to subsidize the installation of solar panels on residential rooftops at little or no cost to the homeowners.

How many houses could be outfitted for a few billion dollars? At an average of $20,000 per house, that’s 50,000 homes per $1 billion; even at $30,000 per house, more than 33,000 homes could be outfitted for $1 billion.

Residents would enjoy lower power bills, thereby freeing up more disposable income, which would stimulate the economy. Birds, bats and the like would not be harmed by the rooftop installations, nor would ground creatures be disturbed. We would still require power plants, but the need to expand their capacity would be minimized and they could be downsized.

This could be a win for many: solar panel manufacturers, installers, consumers, electricians, etc. However, NV Energy would probably take issue with a reduction in its profits due to a decrease in electricity sales.

LARRY LEWANDOWSKI

HENDERSON