Solar power can be a great alternative for any business, but those in Oregon can really benefit. If you have an existing business and you switch over to solar energy, you can set the solar system up for almost no costs (after you receive rebates and tax benefits).

Setting up solar power is not cheap. It could initially cost a business around $150,000 to set up a small and simple system. For business with some capital to invest back into the company, this could be a great choice. There are plenty of incentives offered in the Oregon area that help bring the final cost down to almost zero.

Unfortunately, not all states are so generous. The federal government is also decreasing tax incentives that it offers to citizens to go green. It is always a good idea to check out your local incentives and to talk with your accountant BEFORE you count on any rebates or deductions.

Even if you aren’t able to receive rebates or other incentives, going solar can be incentive enough of its own. You can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year if you go green. Some of the electric companies even offer payment for any power you generate that comes back into the general system so that you could potentially make money.

Switching your business is not just good for the environment - it’s great for the bottom line as well.

There are things in the environment that can kill you.  The smart thing to do would be to outlaw as much of the dangerous items as possible.  Some people are already pushing us in that direction - trying to outlaw smoking, guns, fast foods, and fat altogether. 

Now the local science fair is getting in on the act.  A high school student won the top prize with his petition to outlaw dihydrogen monoxide.  It can be some of the most dangerous stuff if used incorrectly, and it even contributes to erosion causing billions of dollars in damage each year.  I guess it should be outlawed.

There is just one problem.  The chemical his petition refers to is water.   And although water can be dangerous when used improperly, I hardly think that outlawing its use could help anyone and in the end it would probably kill even more people – especially given that we are 80% water.

It makes me wonder how much of the concern that is placed on all the “bad” things in this world is just hype created by the media, special interest groups, Hollywood, and politicians.  Maybe instead of outlawing everything, we should find ways to use the resources we have in a responsible manner that is beneficial for all involved.