Rising energy costs rather than credits fuel solar energy interest

Despite a luke-warm reception to the recently announced Feed-in Tariffs by homeowners, it's crossed my mind that rising traditional fuel costs like gas and electricity may be 'fuelling' demand for solar panel installation rather than the promise of credits for generating your own energy.

What do you think?

Starting a week of hopefully topical solar and renewable energy issues which you're all invited to take part in via the comments below.

photo credit: ricardo martin

America see's petrol prices rise steeply

Spotted in Associated Press earlier:

"Gas is still a relative bargain compared with years past, but cheap fuel has been the good news story of a country racked by anxiety over making ends meet. Gas prices have now risen for six straight days.

After lingering below $2.50 for weeks, the national average price for a gallon of gas (petrol) crossed that barrier Friday and has been moving up since. Prices rose almost 2 cents to $2.564 per gallon overnight, according to auto club AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service.

Prices in Alaska and Hawaii are above $3."

The problem stems from refineries cutting back production whilst the Dollar has been falling steadily since the beginning of the month.

Read more on America's fuel price woes at Associated Press by clicking here. There's an interesting quote from an American Government report that reckons refiners production levels have fallen to those more common in the aftermath of a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico region.

photo credit: volpelino