Solar shingles...

Whenever I hear about a new technology or improvement, I like to contemplate its effect on the future. I just finished reading up about roof shingles that have solar cells built in. Called Powerhouse Solar Shingle, is so far untested in mass quantities. However, this has the potential to save big money on installation costs which accounts for about 25% of a typical roof top system. They plug-in horizontily and are nailed in just like regular asphalt shingles.



Another example of how we can improve on technology to make non-carbon based power generation economical.

Compare this to the true costs of nuclear from build out to decommissioning, and it becomes more cost effective. Solar just doesn't have the constituency of nuclear and coal to lobby for it. I have great confidence that our ingenuity will make nuclear and coal history.

History of where we die.

I had a discussion with a few buyers that stopped by my isting last Sunday at 785 Cindy Lane in the Livermore Valley. They had a concern that the former owner died in the house. They had reservations about that and the fact that there was a little odor from the deceased. She was not found for almost a week. Wew!

It occurred to me that 150 years ago, it would have been out of the ordinary for most people to have been born and died anywhere but their home.

I wonder why we as a society have a negative feeling about death in a home? Some have issues only if it was a violent death. Natural causes are OK.

Personaly I stop at the front door, say a few words, wish that the deceased is in a better place, one without pain, then go in and do my job.