I think everyone should have solar panels on their homes. Sure, they don't generate a huge amount but it would certainly help. We had a news piece in the last year of a homeowner who did install solar panels. His up front cost was $16,000 but he saw his meter turn backwards, selling his excess power to the power company (yes, this does require a special meter).

I would jump in a heartbeat but the reason his story hit the news was his home owners association. He failed to get an OK from the HOA before installing the panels. Once they were completely installed, the HOA came in with their attorney and forced him to remove the panels. He tried everything to get them to allow him to leave them up but they refused.

Here in North Texas, your HOA has more rights to your property than you do...

As far as environmentalists are concerned, I do believe there is an appropriate balance. Wildlife can be moved. If a wind generator creates an uncomfortable hum for a bat, they will probably leave and go somewhere else. Nature is fragile but not so fragile that it won't adjust. Humans need to take care of humans first while looking long term to make sure that what we do won't harm us in the long run. That is where the balance comes in. Do we really need to put bats before humans? I wonder what the environmentalists think about all of the homes standing empty because people can't afford them?