ISSUES
The issue is the lack of usage of solar energy and the over-usage of fossil fuel in Arizona and we are pushing to transition the energy system in the state to reduce climate change..
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Pros and Cons
Pros of solar energy in Arizona: Saves money in the long-run as its cost is $.74 per kilowatt hour vs $12.5 per kilowatt hour for fossil fuel, according to the website Sun Valley Solar, renewable, increases home value, they don’t make noise, can be accessed in rural areas
Cons of solar energy in Arizona: The initial installation cost is high, but according to Sun Valley Solar's website "Over their useful life, solar panels return more than 5x times their cost in electricity savings" and can be effective up to 50 years, depends on weather but Arizona's climate marginalizes this issue, depends on roof size, expensive to store energy.
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RELEVANT GROUPS
Advocacy Groups
AriSEIA, The Arizona Solar Center, Arizona Solar Energy Association, The City of Scottsdale Green Building Program, Arizona Solar Center Meet Up Group, Western Resource Advocates
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Consumers
We also are interested in reaching out to homeowners and small businesses, as they would benefit a lot from the transition to solar energy and reduction in usage of fossil fuel. With homeowners we would like to focus particularly on people in their 40's with families. We would capitalize on their desire to save money on energy, as according to the website Solarmelon the average house hold would saves $600 to $800 per year via solar, and altruism through reducing climate change in Arizona. We would also like to look into using their familial bond via investing in their children's future as they would be the ones taking on the initial price especially if they see their homes remaining in the family.
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For small business owners we would like to help them reduce overhead through the lower price of solar energy per kilowatt compared to fossil fuel.
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Through this fossil fuel emissions would decrease thereby reducing climate change. Both groups carbon footprint would be significantly reduced.