Doesn't Solar Power Require Sunshine?

This Bostonist always pictured solar panels being best-suited to dot the rooftops of sun-baked, equatorial locales. But according to the Associated Press (via the Herald), the Commonwealth is quickly becoming a leader in solar energy.

The AP piece talked to one solar executive whose biggest customer is Germany--not a country known for its tropical lifestyle. He says that, "Solar works better when you have cool, sunny days, so a solar system here in Massachusetts, if you have access to the sun and aren’t shaded by trees, can work as effectively as in a very, very hot climate like Arizona."

Governor Patrick has propopsed some extensive sustainable energy plans, and is "calling for the production of 250 megawatts of solar power by 2017. A single megawatt can power several hundred homes and 250 megawatts is the equivalent of a medium-sized natural gas power plant."

Even the Red Sox are getting into the act by preparing to install a solar water heating system at Fenway. Because the only thing better than taking a series from the Yankees is doing it in earth-friendly fashion.

Image by Pujanak via Wikipedia Commons.