CA: Solar energy's day is dawning

San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | December 10, 2006 | Craig D. Rose

[saganite]

enough at peak output to match six modern natural-gas-fired power plants.


Too bad the solar cells only run at peak about 20% of the time. Will they shut down natural gas fired plants at night so solar can get a fair shake?

[Ken522]

A 3KW solar set costs $27,000???

Yep, this here solar energy thingy is gonna be real economical!

[Ken522]

A 3KW solar set costs $27,000???

Yep, this here solar energy thingy is gonna be real economical!

[goldstategop]

With subsidies, the cost is slashed to a third. If you can save on paying your electric bill, then its a worthwhile investment.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Yeah, what I was thinking. And this 3KW is only during peak sunlight hours. Looking at my last electric bill I think I used 10KW per hour, average, so what's the $27,000 3KW (for maybe 6 hours) going to get me?

[WorkingClassFilth]

Renewable energy bump.

[Paladin2]

24 hr/day @ 1 Kw @ $.1/kwh = $72/mo. 10 KW would be $720/mo.

[goldstategop]

Well you can send the unused electricity back to the grid and the idea is the electric company gives you credit for power you don't use from them.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[RadioAstronomer]

Power in time of an emergency or when the grid is down. At least enough to run a furnace motor, radios, lights, water pump etc. Not a bad thing to have on hand.

[SierraWasp]

There simply is no more expensive and less cost effective or less reliable way to generate electricity!!!

[texas booster]

In 1979, President Carter installed solar panels on the White House roof as a symbol of the country's drive to develop renewable energy.

President Reagan had them removed in 1986.

Nice jab. Did the reporter ask any questions as to why the solar cells were removed?

Too much weight on an old roof?

Additional security measures needed?

Good ole MSM. A real hit and run statement.

[goldstategop]

If California did not have over 300 days of sunshine, I would agree with you. As the technology improves, the cost of solar-generated power should become competitive with conventional power. Plus the state's new global warming regulations are going to create added incentive to switch to avoid skyrocketing utility rate increases.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Onelifetogive]

Severin Borenstein, director of the University of California's Energy Institute...

“If you subsidize research in the public domain, everyone would benefit,” Borenstein said.

In other words....."GIVE ME THE CASH!"

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Some more numbers:

I use 10 KW/h on average over the 24 hour day. For $27,000 I can get a 3KWh system that will generate that under ideal conditions (no clouds, sun high, etc.) so lets say 6 hours per day average. I need 10KW x 24 hours = 240 KW per day. This system gives me 3KW x 6hours = 18 KW per day. SO I need to increase the system by 240/18 = 13.33 times to cover all of my energy needs. That will only cost me 13.33 x $27,000 = $360,000 to power house.

Since I currently pay about $250/month for electricity I can pay $360,000 to replace that or put the $360,000 in the bank earning 10%/year ($36,000 per year) and pay for my $3000/year electric bill out of that. I'll take NOT installing the system.

I'm not knocking solar. It's simply not economical at all. It would be cheaper for me to run a biodiesel generator day in and day out to power my house and be environmentally friendly. Or, more nuclear plants should be built.

[SierraWasp]

My favorite lines from the whole artickle...

In 1979, President Carter installed solar panels on the White House roof as a symbol of the country's drive to develop renewable energy.

President Reagan had them removed in 1986.

What the heck took ya so long Ronnie??? They shoulda been removed in January, 1981!!!

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Power in time of an emergency or when the grid is down.

What happens if the emergency happens during some hour other than the 6 hours of peak sunlight or when it's raining/snowing, which is likely? I just paid $27,000 for a system that won't work. Or, I can buy a whole house generator for $5000 and it will work at all times.

Again, not knocking solar. Just looking at the numbers. I can see doing solar water heater systems if they are cheap enough. They don't cost anything near photo electric solar panels.

[Onelifetogive]

Experts estimate that capturing 90 minutes of the sun's energy would supply everyone on the planet with all the power they use in a year.

I'm not certain, but I think 90 minutes of the sun's energy would vaporize every single molecule of the earth.

[SierraWasp]

"As things stand, electricity from photovoltaic systems – the technical term for rooftop solar – costs roughly twice that produced by burning fossil fuels."

So give it up Arnold! You and all your wistful pencil necked GEEKS! This is more government WASTE, just like the useless and financially dangerous Stem Cell research!!!

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

I'm not certain, but I think 90 minutes of the sun's energy would vaporize every single molecule of the earth.

But at lease we can **feel** good while being vaporized - because we care. :)