Letter to the editor: Solar power can keep us cool

I was deeply concerned by your article “Blackouts in extreme weather drive demand for cleaner backup power” (Aug. 22, TribLive). Challenges faced by families such as Kenna Ofoegbu’s are real, but the suggestion to revert to fossil-fuel generators is like taking a step backward when we should be racing ahead toward cleaner alternatives.

Here in New England, during a heat wave in June, scorching temps would normally have meant skyrocketing electricity demand, triggering rolling blackouts or outages, leaving thousands sweltering in the dark. Despite the blistering heat in June, that wasn’t the case. As electricity demand spiked, our New England power grid kept its cool, thanks in no small part to a sustainable player in the game: thousands of solar panels perched on rooftops, shading parking lots and lining highways.

Not only are they helping to keep the grid steady, experts say, but they’re proving renewable energy isn’t just a green dream anymore — it’s becoming a key player in the grid’s operation. In short, solar power is cool, and it keeps us cool.

Norah Dooley

Royalston, Mass.