President Obama, Don't Try to Pick Winnners...

Dan Gretsch, SOLARHOT

02/03/2009

Name: Dan Gretsch
Business: SOLARHOT
Position: Vice President
NESEA member since: 2007
Website: www.solarhotusa.com

Business description: Manufacturer of solar water heating systems and components.
 
How do you define sustainability?
Any activity that if done by everybody on the planet wouldn't destroy the planet's ecosystems.
 
What project are you most proud of?
Designing and manufacturing the certified most efficient solar water heating system in the United States.
 
What energy advice do you have for the new president?
Provide a structure and framework that encourages conservation and stewardship, but don't pick certain technologies. Once you have provided the framework, let the natural market mechanisms provide the most efficient technology solutions.
 
What promising technology would you like to know more about?
Algae based biofuels.
 
What's the public's biggest misunderstanding regarding sustainable energy systems?
That solar energy begins and ends with photovoltaics. It doesn't. There's much more than just PV.
 
What prompted you to join NESEA?
I was interested in growing our participation in the renewables market in New England.
 
What's the most irritating example of "greenwashing" you can think of?
Any claim of efficiency or savings that isn't backed up by an independent source.