PV
Solar Electricity is a very unique type of resource. All other forms of electricity require transmission lines from power plants far away or fossil fuels to run generators on site. This resource has no moving parts, makes no noise, doesn't smell or pollute, and is visually discrete. PV carries almost no political or bureaucratic baggage (everybody can love it). But perhaps the most amazing feature of PV is its' longevity. The original solar cell at Bell Labs is still putting out over 90% of the original production of over 54 years ago. There are several choices of ways to put solar electricity to work for you.
Rooftop array and inverter installation for grid-tie in Montana
another inverter installation
PV powering an off-grid home near Glacier Park
The greatest potential to replace dirty coal, oil and nuclear power is right on the rooftops of America. Below is the Missoula City Hall with a ballasted system so the membrane roof has no penetrations.
the crane shown below lifted the materials to the roof.
The image below shows the installation of actual solar roof shingles. This product, Sunslate, has a fifty year life or better and is more aesthetically pleasing for residences than any other solar product.
Tracking pole mounted arrays as shown below work well for grid-tie homes or for summer water pumping to maximize the power production of the long summer days in Montana.
As you can see, solar is a diverse and friendly resource which holds the key to energy independence, a clean environment and jobs that can't be outsourced. We should be using every lump of coal and every barrel of oil to create solar panels. That is the only way those resources could be considered renewable.