Rooftop Revolution by Danny Kennedy - Book review

Rooftop Revolution

How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy - and our planet - from Dirty Energy

By: Danny Kennedy

Published: September 3, 2012
Format: Paperback, 192 pages
ISBN-10: 1609946642
ISBN-13: 978-1609946647
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers










"Right now it;s important that everyone know the truth about solar's power and how we should be making energy. Our future - our safety, our prosperity, and our environment - depends on the success of the Rooftop Revolution" writes solar power advocate, award winning innovator, and founder and president of Sungevity, Inc. Danny Kennedy in his eye opening and societal action oriented book Rooftop Revolution: How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy - and our planet - from Dirty Energy. The author describes how now is the time to move away from energy generated by fossil fuels and embrace the ever increasing importance of solar generated energy.

Danny Kennedy recognizes that the solar generated electricity is increasing at an exponential rate. At the same time, the author points out the employment in the solar industry has doubled since 2009. Danny Kennedy writes that he expects that employment growth trend to continue to soar both in the near and longer term. On the other hand,m the author provides evidence the amount of electricity produced by coal has declined to levels of the 1930s. Along with this decline in coal powered electricity has been an accompanying loss of employment within the coal power industry.

Danny Kennedy presents evidence that the information about solar energy, as shared by its opponents, is false In place of fossil fuel generated electricity, the author presents solar power as a viable and clean substitute for fossil based energy in general, and coal generated electricity in particular.

Danny Kennedy (photo left) understands the critical importance of electricity to modern society. The author also recognizes that the production and provision of electricity is very big business. As a result, Danny Kennedy offers alternative information to that provided by the entrenched interests in the fossil fuel and nuclear based energy business. The author refutes the standard arguments made against solar generated electricity by those who support coal, oil and gas, and the nuclear industries.

Along with sharing effective rebuttals to the usual sources, Danny Kennedy goes farther in demonstrating that solar energy creates more jobs, boosts the economy, and provides a clean and sustainable energy source. The author makes the compelling case for solar generated electricity in the following chapters:

* Sunny side up
* Empires of the Sun: Dirty energy's petty politics
* Role models for the rooftop revolution
* Take a walk on the sunny side
* Hot jobs
* Energized

For me, the power of the book is how Danny Kennedy provides a powerful economic, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability case for solar energy, combined with the practical steps for making the solar vision a reality. The author refers to the transformation from fossil fuel based energy to solar power a rooftop revolution. The changes created by the now ongoing transition, from the declining fossil fuel based industry to one powered by the Sun, are indeed revolutionary. That revolution is not only technological and economic, but also represents a complete sea change in thinking on the part of the population.

For entrepreneurs, the book offers some very good news. Solar power generation saves money for businesses of all sizes, but also provides opportunities for technological innovation and and new venture start ups. The author enhances his case for solar energy through careful research, the results of which are presented in the book. Danny Kennedy also shares anecdotes and case studies of successful solar energy projects and companies, and how solar has proven effective in replacing traditional energy sources in new and exciting ways.

I highly recommend the visionary and transformational book Rooftop Revolution: How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy - and our planet - from Dirty Energy by Danny Kennedy, to any entrepreneurs, homeowners, home designers, architects and engineers, electrical utilities, environmental groups, and public policy makers seeking a clear and concise guide to the importance and benefits of solar generated electricity to individuals, businesses, the economy, and the environment. This book will change the way you think and approach the whole question of solar energy and how it is already replacing fossil fuel generated electricity.