It seems hard to believe that we have come so far in the adoption and acceptance of solar energy in our country both on the commercial power development side and on the home solar power side that a dispute like the one brewing the St Louis area could still be happening.
CLARKSON VALLEY • The fuss over the solar panels remains baffling to Jim and Frances Babb.
Their home sits 360 feet from the street and is surrounded by sycamore, oak and Bradford pear trees. In the summer, you can hardly see it from the curb.
Nevertheless, for the past two years, the couple’s Victorian Queen Anne-style home has been a flash point in the battle over solar energy in St. Louis’ suburbs.
The saga is scheduled to resume on Tuesday when the Babbs ask a Cole County judge to hold Clarkson Valley in contempt of court for failing to issue them permits for 100 solar panels on their property.
The Babbs want the city fined $1,000 for each day it fails to issue the permits.
I guess the proof that it can be done and it can be done while meeting the necessary local codes and specs in other parts of the country has not reached the local authorities in Missouri. We hope this couple can resolve their permit dispute and can continue to generate solar energy for their home in the near future. Seems like we need more resolve on the parts of politicians to stay on top of what is working around the country. Solar power for homes is a now thing and not some pie in the sky for the future. It has been proven all around the nation and across the seas in Europe and beyond.