St. Lucie Audubon Society

President's Message: Alternative forms of energy II

The future for Florida looks bright. Florida is the Sunshine State, why not solar power?

A couple years ago, Harold Phillips, while conservation chair, suggested we place solar panels on our roofs to contribute to the environment and reduce our electric bills.

Only about 1 percent of the energy used worldwide comes from the sun. When only a small fraction of light spectrum is used, solar power is inefficient and expensive. We were told the Mars Rovers, powered by solar energy, would last about three months. The solar panels on the Mars Rovers use a wider range of wave lengths and after four years are going strong.

Ray Kurzwell, an inventor who predicted the widespread use of the Internet with wireless access, now predicts that in the next five years nano-engineered solar panels will make them light, inexpensive and very efficient at converting solar energy. If he is correct, solar panels in Florida will be a no-brainer.

 Help us make a difference. Become a member of St. Lucie Audubon, attend our meetings and join our field trips.

Thank you for your support,
Dan Walma, president of St. Lucie Audubon Society

 

Upcoming events

Sat., Nov. 1, 11 a.m. Wake-up Call Lecture series, sponsored by Oxbow Eco Center, fish ecologists and Indian River Lagoon expert, Dr. Grant Gilmore.

Thurs., Nov. 6, 7 p.m. Environmental Legislation, St. Lucie Commissioner Doug Coward, monthly meeting

Sat., Nov. 8, 8 a.m., Field trip, Savannas Preserve, Port St. Lucie

Click dates for details
In the news
  • Falconers use their knowledge to help birds of prey learn to return to the wild
  • Local environmentalists cautiously optimistic about U.S. Sugar land deal
  • New 'Glades land talks would keep U.S. Sugar in business in Florida
  • Rare butterfly spotted in Treasure Coast
  • Endangered woodpeckers released in Martin County
  • Homing pigeon finds new home in Port St. Lucie after Fay
  • Muck used to build islands in marshy northwest area of Lake Okeechobee

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