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Obama announces $2 billion for solar power
Associated Press ^ | July 3, 2010 | Julie Pace

Posted on 07/03/2010 4:13:41 AM PDT by Zakeet

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To: OCCASparky
These politicians don't seem to realize that for every array
of solar power you have have to back it up with a conventional power plant: in addition to the extreme ineffientncy.
61 posted on 07/03/2010 8:28:44 AM PDT by upcountryhorseman (An old fashioned conservative)
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To: Zakeet

Where does this generate new permament jobs? The panels
are made in China or Germany and, once installed, there
is minimal maintenance.


62 posted on 07/03/2010 8:30:54 AM PDT by upcountryhorseman (An old fashioned conservative)
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To: Zakeet

So, why not spend a trillion or even a quadrillion?


63 posted on 07/03/2010 8:36:14 AM PDT by unique
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To: Zakeet

How’s that $2 billion dollars for PETROBRAS coming along, Jack Squat Barry? IdiotPOTUS....


64 posted on 07/03/2010 9:52:25 AM PDT by cranked
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To: Zakeet

Prediction: aRnie will become Solar Czar in the Obama Regime as soon as he leaves office..


65 posted on 07/03/2010 10:10:45 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: UnChained

Unfortunately, you grossly overestimate the typical power generating capability of a photovoltaic cell. Most of them are in the 12-13 watt per square foot range, meaning a little over 100 watts per square yard, not 400. Additionally, that much power just for the photovoltaics goes for about $4/watt, not including things like inverters, battery systems, or installation if you don’t have a state electrical contractor’s license. A typical 3-4 KW system will run you in excess of $15K, plus installation (if you don’t get a bunch of extras.) But keep in mind that is PEAK generation, not early morning or afternoon. Availability is severely limited in inclement weather conditions. Basically, that system does in fact take 40-50 years to pay for itself. One problem—those cells last 20 years, tops.


66 posted on 07/03/2010 10:34:43 AM PDT by OCCASparky (Obama--Playing a West Wing fantasy in a '24' world.)
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To: Zakeet
Obamanomics: The Dumb Wee Wee is as good at arithmetic as everything else. The idiot is going to spend $2 billion to create 1,500 permanent jobs -- or approximately $1.4 million per position.

For 1.4 mil I'm willing to job share....any takers? ;O)

67 posted on 07/03/2010 11:33:41 AM PDT by Mygirlsmom (Just say NOPE to the DOPE with the HOPE)
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To: OCCASparky

Anybody have the current stats on solar energy cost?

They sure try to keep that fact hidden, dont they.


68 posted on 07/03/2010 11:42:50 AM PDT by WOSG (OPERATION RESTORE AMERICAN FREEDOM - NOVEMBER, 2010 - DO YOUR PART!)
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To: Recon Dad

In the U.S., the number is more like 400 watts over the course of a sunny day. We’re down to 4 light bulbs.”

About 6 hours of that, so 2.4kwh / day/meter.

... with 250 ‘good days’, about 600 kwh per year per meter. If is is worth 5 cents/kwh,
that is $30 worth of energy. But solar cells are 10-20% efficient, so its more like $3.00-$6.00 in energy per year per meter. If you want it recover within 7 years then you need the following cost model:

System cost = 600 kwh x (value/kwh) x Efficiency (in %) x Recovery time (7 yrs)
Using generous numbers:
= 600 x .1 x .20 x 7 = $84

We need a high efficiency solar panel to be priced under $100/meter - system cost - to ‘work’ affordably.


69 posted on 07/03/2010 12:02:23 PM PDT by WOSG (OPERATION RESTORE AMERICAN FREEDOM - NOVEMBER, 2010 - DO YOUR PART!)
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To: giotto

This is no worse than most of what we spend money on, and its far better for govt to spend it on R&D than on mandates and subsidies, which destroy economic incentives.

Nevertheless: We have spent billions on alternative energy already. billions on solar. solar is still not yet competitive. Assumptions that this will end up doing some good are based on ignorance of the very spotty record of govt energy research thus far (hydrogen, synfuels, biofuels, etc. - a lot of boondoggles and few results).


70 posted on 07/03/2010 12:06:07 PM PDT by WOSG (OPERATION RESTORE AMERICAN FREEDOM - NOVEMBER, 2010 - DO YOUR PART!)
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To: giotto

This is no worse than most of what we spend money on, and its far better for govt to spend it on R&D than on mandates and subsidies, which destroy economic incentives.

Nevertheless: We have spent billions on alternative energy already. billions on solar. solar is still not yet competitive. Assumptions that this will end up doing some good are based on ignorance of the very spotty record of govt energy research thus far (hydrogen, synfuels, biofuels, etc. - a lot of boondoggles and few results).


71 posted on 07/03/2010 12:06:14 PM PDT by WOSG (OPERATION RESTORE AMERICAN FREEDOM - NOVEMBER, 2010 - DO YOUR PART!)
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To: UnChained

“2kw. That works out to 1400 kwh per month.”

Your math flaw - .. you divided by 4, but the number should be a greater division than that. sun doesnt shine 24/7, you get about 6 useful hours of sunlight ... and even less since most areas have ~200 sunny/useful days per year. 2kw x 6 hrs/day x 30 days = 360 kwh per month. mileage varies (eg AZ good, Seattle bad).

“An important point is that that point being reached isn’t a function of time but a function of effort. As the volume of cells goes up, the economies of scale will accelerate the price reductions.”

This is a phony argument. Plants for solar panels already are sized for scale. Technology, not volume, changes pricing. Are cars getting cheaper due to ‘volume’???

Solar will come down if/when technology improves.


72 posted on 07/03/2010 12:15:34 PM PDT by WOSG (OPERATION RESTORE AMERICAN FREEDOM - NOVEMBER, 2010 - DO YOUR PART!)
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To: OCCASparky
Basically, that system does in fact take 40-50 years to pay for itself. One problem—those cells last 20 years, tops.

Additionally, the typical homeowner moves, on average, every 7 years. So, most folks won't stay in a home long enough to even see the entire life-cycle of those panels, let alone stay long enough to reach the potential payback date.

There are a lot better ways to save energy that cost less, and have a shorter payback period.

73 posted on 07/03/2010 12:19:47 PM PDT by meyer (Big government is the enemy of freedom.)
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To: Zakeet
Photobucket
74 posted on 07/03/2010 2:38:46 PM PDT by Tzimisce (No thanks. We have enough government already. - The Tick)
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To: Darkwolf377
"What about the economy?" "Green jobs!"

If you tell a lie long enough...

75 posted on 07/03/2010 3:08:03 PM PDT by Soothesayer9
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To: Zakeet

So Obama waits for nearly 2 years— while millions of American’s suffer—, lose their homes, treasures, hopes and dreams.... then with only 4 months to the next election, he springs it..... “jobs, jobs, look everybody, I created jobs, oh boy, looky, looky, look what I did!!!”

I wish this bastard would simply have a masive stroke and get the hell out of our lives.


76 posted on 07/03/2010 3:13:26 PM PDT by Gator113
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To: tsmith130
"Uh...Barack....Spain's on the phone. They'd like to have a word with you."

I would think that dear leader has already spoke with Spain as Abengoa is a Spanish company. We now in essence take one company from solar government welfare that Spain was funding and now fund it with US taxpayer funded solar government welfare. It takes a global village doncha know...

77 posted on 07/03/2010 7:26:52 PM PDT by DBeers (†)
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To: WOSG

A typical system (without battery backup and a few other goodies) will go about $4-5 per watt, plus installation.


78 posted on 07/04/2010 5:36:36 AM PDT by OCCASparky (Obama--Playing a West Wing fantasy in a '24' world.)
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To: Zakeet

Soros is invested in Abound, the COlorado (swing state) company, which is receiving $400 mm of the $2 bn pledged by 0bama.

“Abound’s manufacturing process, Noronha said, is completely automated and continuous, allowing the company to convert sheets of glass into solar panels in less than two hours without human labor.”

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUKN1334527120090414?type=companyNews

“Soros & the Drilling Moratorium COnnection”

Soros wants wind & solar....

http://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2010/06/23/the-george-sorosdrilling-moratorium-connection/


79 posted on 07/04/2010 4:46:09 PM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spirito Sancto.)
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To: UnChained

SOLAR SHINGLES

Stan Ovshinsky RULES! Man, what a guy. And he’s no spring chicken, either!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaics

Man, what a guy.


80 posted on 07/04/2010 4:52:11 PM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spirito Sancto.)
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