Seeing more solar panels

Terry Dickow
Posted 10/1/21

I drove past the Syngenta R&D center near Malta this week and noticed something that made me curious.

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Seeing more solar panels

Posted

I drove past the Syngenta R&D center near Malta this week and noticed something that made me curious.

It looks like the building has solar panels mounted on its roof.  

I know it is early in construction, but I also notice there are no power lines running to the construction site. Does that mean the building will be fully solar powered? Or does it mean the lines have not yet been run?

Time will tell.

I have read that solar panels have dropped in price over the years. When I taught at Tilton School, I suggested a couple of times that solar panels be mounted on the roof for heating and cooling needs. I still think that, as well as at the other schools.

As a society we are becoming more and more dependent on solar and wind power. Years ago there was a cost factor, but now I wonder if a solar roof pays for itself in just a few years.

We need to reduce carbon emissions and using solar can help do that.

Hydro power was always considered a dependable source of power, but if you have noticed, Lake Mead and Lake Powell are at historic lows and if water levels drop further, electric production could be affected.

Project Jackpot

Jackpot has already made a positive impact in the community. That is the project name for the undisclosed business moving into the Nippon Sharyo facilities on the south side.

Recently teachers in Rochelle found a Rotary Daily Cash Giveaway calendar in their school mail boxes. 

I think that is a really neat gesture on their part.

Speaking of schools, I saw an interesting comment the other day that third graders have never had a “normal” school year. High schoolers entering their third year will also be experiencing a “normal” school year for the first time.

Parents have to remember that and encourage their children to do their best in school, behavior wise and work wise. They have spent a lot of time at home, away from other children and maybe without a set routine. Change could  be hard on them, and the teachers.

Time off

You won’t see this column for the next two weeks. I am taking a little time off to recharge my batteries.

I am looking forward to seeing all the decorated hay bales when I get back. Rochelle has a lot of creative people, so the bales should be very interesting.

Terry Dickow can be contacted at terrydickow@gmail.com