Coolerado: The export revolution will be air-conditioned

Slate Magazine ^ | November 23, 2010 | Martha White

[Arec Barrwin]

While the United States has the largest consumer economy in the world, manufacturers of renewable energy products and energy-efficient machines—industries that fall under the broad category of "cleantech"—face a frustrating paradox: The greatest potential demand for their products, be they wind turbines, solar panels, super high-efficiency appliances, or computer-aided ventilation systems, is beyond our shores. Cleantech companies represent one of America's brightest hopes in terms of export potential, but suppliers in this nascent market have a number of hurdles to overcome before realizing its potential.

[lewislynn]

Cleantech companies represent one of America's brightest hopes in terms of export potential, but suppliers in this nascent market have a number of hurdles to overcome before realizing its potential.

Demand being #1.

[Buckeye McFrog]

why does the author presuppose they would be built here just because they are “green”? The basic economics of production costs do not change, whether you are making a toaster, a computer, a sedan or a windmill blade.

[LomanBill]

[The greatest potential demand for their products, be they wind turbines, solar panels, super high-efficiency appliances, or computer-aided ventilation systems, is beyond our shores.]

 

That's not surprising.  The new, disconnected, technology goes where there's no grid to support/supply an existing, connected, need - Leading to the rural 3rd world leapfrogging, in some ways, past those of us in the developed world.

 

Alvin Toffler talked about this 20 years ago in:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Powershift-Knowledge-Wealth-Violence-Century/dp/0553292153

[DaxtonBrown]

I was looking at coolerado products, but they are still commercial not residential.