About the Cost of Solar: From reading other topics, I know there are lots of UHHers who would benefit from this thoughtful article:...

davefales Loc: Virginia

From reading other topics, I know there are lots of UHHers who would benefit from this thoughtful article:

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/07/31/capture-the-sun-power-america-with-solar-is-there-a-business-case/#more-113764

The bottom line:"In the exercise above I estimate the cost of building a system to power todays economy with energy from the sun at about $65 trillion. Doing the same thing with gas-fired technology would cost about $4 trillion[ll], about 6% of the cost of solar."

Another useful article: http://www.americanthinker.com/2014/07/five_fatal_flaws_of_solar_energy.html

I believe solar has a role in the energy mix, but probably not nearly to the extent some people would hope.

To make solar competitive requires enormous taxpayer subsidies...or a dictatorial EPA.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

davefales wrote:

From reading other topics, I know there are lots o... (show quote)

I don't know about switching the entire country to solar, but I know two people who have solar, and they love it. It supplies most of their electrical needs and has almost eliminated their electric bill.

So many people in Hawaii have solar electric, that sending excess back to the power company has proven to be a problem - too much excess electricity!

mmeador

I agree. I feel the same about wind. The only reason these exist is the subsidies we pay. If they had to survive alone they would crash and burn in months. Europe has stopped subsidies for wind power and started investing in oil & gas technology.
Cental Texas is covered with wind turbines. What a blight on the landscape .

photeach Loc: beautiful Kansas

The story of solar energy in America is a cautionary tale about government involvement. Compare the innovations in solar to those of the computer industry, where individual innovation has brought us computer chips and iPhones. In the solar industry, government funding and rebates have kept us with the big metal boxes. The latest estimate of what it would take to generate solar energy for MY home is a $50,000 array on my roof to cover a bill that averages $100 . Really??
I read the solar energy news articles every month. I could write them by now. They ALWAYS say, "A team of researchers at (insert name) University has developed a process that has the POTENTIAL to make solar energy more efficient or more cost-effective..." But, nothing ever comes to market. The 4 x 8 foot panels never shrink to 4 x 4 or 2 x 2. The universities are just in it for the upcoming grant cycle of millions from the government.
If our computers had evolved at the same pace, we would still be using ENIAC and punch cards

user47602 Loc: ip 304.0.0.33.32

apparently no one told those sneaky Germans...

http://theweek.com/speedreads/index/263510/speedreads-germany-gets-50-percent-of-its-electricity-from-solar-for-the-first-time

davefales Loc: Virginia

user47602 wrote:

http://theweek.com/speedreads/index/263510/speedreads-germany-gets-50-percent-of-its-electricity-from-solar-for-the-first-time

The glass is half full. The article touts a peak of production on an unusually hot (and probably bright) day near the summer solstice.

The problem is what do they rely on during overcast days near the winter solstice (and having lived in Deutschland more than four years I know that is a highly plausible scenario.)

chrisscholbe Loc: Kansas City, MO

davefales wrote:

From reading other topics, I know there are lots o... (show quote)

I believe solar has a role in the energy mix, but probably not nearly to the extent some people would hope.

To make solar competitive requires enormous taxpayer subsidies...or a dictatorial EPA.[/quote]

Like every other technology, since the "dark ages", this will get cheaper over time.

How long, I don't know, but at some point it will become cheaper than "other" methods.

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

The whole point about alternative power sources, isn't about saving money. It isn't even about saving the planet. The Earth is a big girl now and can look after her self. It's about keeping the planet in such a condition that it can continue to sustain HUMAN life. Yes global warming and global cooling has been going on since the world began, but we haven't always been here.

Texcaster Loc: Queensland

Alternative energy is being called the third industrial revolution. The obstacles of storage and cost will become less daunting. Fossil fuel exploration, extraction, refining and distribution just won't be competitive.

This link aired in Australia recently well worth a look.

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2014/07/07/4038488.htm

mmeador

The numbers don't add up. the largest single solar power plant in the US is in the Mohave desert and it's output is only 370 mw.
Have you ever been to Germany. It is nice and green because it rains half of the time.
I have to admit I would rather have solar over wind. Let the US use it's resources. Use oil, gas, wind, coal and solar. We wouldn't have to buy another drop of oil from the countries that hate our guts.

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

There is much ignorance about "solar".

25 yrs ago I designed and built a passive solar house that heats itself in the winter and cools itself in the summer.

The house looks like a brick ranch from the street but has 2 stories in the back ( all windows).

It did not cost me anymore than a standard house ( per square foot).

So far ( 25 yrs) it has saved me about $50,000 in utilities expenses compared to what the neighbors pay.

I will say it was a great decision so far.

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

davefales wrote:

The glass is half full. The article touts a peak of production on an unusually hot (and probably bright) day near the summer solstice.

The problem is what do they rely on during overcast days near the winter solstice (and having lived in Deutschland more than four years I know that is a highly plausible scenario.)

The article is written to promote solar at the cost of the truth.

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

mmeador wrote:

The numbers don't add up. the largest single solar power plant in the US is in the Mohave desert and it's output is only 370 mw.
Have you ever been to Germany. It is nice and green because it rains half of the time.
I have to admit I would rather have solar over wind. Let the US use it's resources. Use oil, gas, wind, coal and solar. We wouldn't have to buy another drop of oil from the countries that hate our guts.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

davefales Loc: Virginia

Turbo wrote:

There is much ignorance about "solar". b... (show quote)

Sounds like it is working to your satisfaction. For a business case, however, we would need to know what your capital investment was and what your maintenance costs have been (have you had to replace any parts in 25 years?)

Also what government subsidies did you receive if any?

Then we would have to make corrections so all $ costs are done in same-year$.

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

davefales wrote:

Sounds like it is working to your satisfaction. For a business case, however, we would need to know what your capital investment was and what your maintenance costs have been (have you had to replace any parts in 25 years?)

Also what government subsidies did you receive if any?

Then we would have to make corrections so all $ costs are done in same-year$.

My capital investment was about $65 per square foot ( same as other houses built in the development in 1989.

I received a tax deduction of $1000 ( using the sunroom as a solar feature )

And, as the house is passive ( no moving parts), I have had no repairs ( except the non-related appliances, plumbing ...etc )