Solar PV on New Jersey Telephone Poles Is More Symbolic than Practical — But Symbolic of What?

I spent an uncharacteristically long time in the state of New Jersey last week, during which time I realized that,  apparently, these people actually did make good on their threat to install little PV panels on each of 175,000 telephone poles. Here’s a shot I took from my cell phone from a speeding train;  miraculously it’s not too blurry.

When you do the math associated with the cost of acquisition,  installation and maintenance, this is a terrible idea; it’s a ridiculous use of funds that provides a great tool our numerous enemies can use to show that renewable energy advocates have no grasp on basic economics and mathematics.  I can’t imagine the discussions and political wranglings that culminated in such a farce.  But I guess that’s what politicians do for a living.