Solar power & Wind Power for residental use

[KiwiBro]

Isn't India going full steam ahead in Solar also?

 

[Redneck in training]

Quick question on this part of your comment; what is the rate (cents/kwh) that you are paying for your grid electricity?

I have full value net metering with my electric service provider (Grayson County Electric Cooperative), and I'm paying a current rate of $0.107/kwh, living in rural N. Texas. If I had a grid-tied PV system installed, GCEC would pay me that same $0.107/kwh that I put back through my meter. About as generous terms as anybody in the country would be getting. That said, the very cheapest install I could do (after my 30% federal tax credit) would be about $1.30/PV watt installed. That works out as about 7.5 years payout. For me to get a 3 year payout, I'd have to be paying more that $0.28/kwh. I'm pretty sure that you don't get twice as much sun in south central Iowa as I get here in Texas. Just trying to understand where our math differs...

John

Agree. 8.6 years to break even point in my case.

 

[buickanddeere]

Break even at 8.6 years if nothing ever requires service or repair. How long after 8.6yrs to "make money" as the equipment ages, solar panels weaken. Lightening strikes, wind , aging inverter etc.

 

[houstonscott]

Agree. 8.6 years to break even point in my case.

That's all weather dependent, could be longer....HS

 

[houstonscott]

DOE-Backed Solar Plant May Close For Under-Producing Energy | The Daily Caller

Interesting.

HS

 

[Redneck in training]

That's all weather dependent, could be longer....HS

That is based on historical average weather data for our area. Our area is #4 in solar illumination in the country. (Read it somewhere)

 

[Knight9]

You mean the previous government had no hand in setting up the Alberta electrical production and distribution system and the rules of the system?

Of course, but I'm not sure what that has to do with my comment :confused3: Every government in every province or state impacts their power system. My point is that the NDP government, after being elected, imported a bunch of wingnuts from all over Canada to come in and run Alberta. The directional policy statements they are making and moving towards are generally idiotic. Has nothing to do with the "setting up of the Alberta electrical production and distribution system" by any previous government.

 

[Egon]

Of course, but I'm not sure what that has to do with my comment :confused3: Every government in every province or state impacts their power system. My point is that the NDP government, after being elected, imported a bunch of wingnuts from all over Canada to come in and run Alberta. The directional policy statements they are making and moving towards are generally idiotic. Has nothing to do with the "setting up of the Alberta electrical production and distribution system" by any previous government.

So; you're trying to say you disagree with your current government actions whatever they may be. Does the use of the derogatory language tell us anything about the issues or is there a communication deficiency.

 

[3930dave]

So; you're trying to say you disagree with your current government actions whatever they may be. Does the use of the derogatory language tell us anything about the issues or is there a communication deficiency.

I have no direct experience with the Alberta situation, but I can comment on Ontario.....

In most decades here, the grid/infrastructure has been heavily subsidized, even back when "green" tech was nowhere near the drawing boards...... The overall goal back when was to supply reliable power, at low cost, to drive our manufacturing base - good for the economy and employment was the priority then....

Like most western countries, we've largely abandoned manufacturing, so the game has somewhat shifted. Today, we have non-traditional energy sources competing with traditional grid suppliers. Naturally, old incumbent suppliers don't like having to compete for subsidies, when they didn't have to before.

I know enough about tech to realize that hydro/nuclear/nat gas power plants are unlikely to be eliminated en masse, in my lifetime. And personally, I don't have a dog in the fight to eliminate them....

I've stated my thoughts on power tech here and in other threads before, so I'll try and keep it short..... :

I like to see more diversity in power sources coming online, and more locally generated power in general. Yes, I get that it makes the grid more complicated to manage. Life in general is way more complicated than it was 50 years ago, grid management doesn't get a free pass either .

Long story short...... my govt blows huge money on a long laundry list of other activities every day; in comparison, actually developing new energy sources is one of the least objectionable ones, IMO....

In contrast, I strongly distinguish the above points from "greenwashing" taxes. Alberta had fiscal issues (even before oil prices tanked), so the people presently in power in AB may be adopting the strategy the Ontario govt loves to use as a "Revenue Tool" - a.k.a. dramatically yank up the kwh rates, and user fees, on an essential service. Latest example.... adding carbon tax to fuel.

Some people on here, and in the real world, have rightfully become irritated when environmentalism gets trotted out to cover up what is primarily or even solely a tax-grab. Myself, included.

Rgds, D.

 

[buickanddeere]

So; you're trying to say you disagree with your current government actions whatever they may be. Does the use of the derogatory language tell us anything about the issues or is there a communication deficiency.

Why divert the fact that the energy sector has been highjacked by trying to make a big deal about some donkeys being called wingnuts ?