Solar Farm #2, dangers involved.

[Hay Dude]

That hasn’t been true for a number of years now for solar or wind.

You can pick specific instances where it is, where solar and wind are installed in low production areas and the math still works due to subsidies. But many solar/wind farms can absolutely stand on their own without the subsidies.

Solar panels are subsidized by the US government before the chinese even produce the damn things. What do you think all the money going towards “green energy” is for?

 

[lman]

How do your counties generate income?

Here it is largely property tax, business personal property tax and sales tax

Solar farms generate additional taxes on property value and business personal property tax.

There are concessions generally negotiated (as with all large commercial projects) and exemptions but still a significant tax increase for our area.

The most recent installation in my county is projected to dump an additional $20M in tax revenue over the next 10 years… compared to the $18k the farm land was generating (in strictly property tax)

About 2.3M for the county, 2.7 for the county hospital district, 1.5 in county road and bridge, 7.3 for emergency district, etc.

The local tiny school district will see an additional 2.3M the 1st year.


Hard for this tiny farm community to turn down such income. The county commissioners are largely ‘in charge’.

A side benefit is the hotels and restaurants are sure enjoying the business of the traveling construction crews.

Obviously the electric rates will go up with all of the money being thrown at solar. They're paying $1,000/acre every month for 20,000 acres in this area plus all of the property taxes.
Somebody has to pay for all of that and the consumers will pay the bill one way or another.

 

[MossRoad]

Do you have a link to this project anywhere?

 

[Rustyiron]

^^^^ this is happening in Maine.
Part of the equation is something for the developers or owners is called "stranded assets". I've heard it explained but I wouldn't do well repeating it. It basically (the way I understand it) is a guarantee to the SF's owner that the rate payers will make them whole in their investments.
I'd be fully behind some sort of "encouragement" for individual rooftop systems that go beyond the folks that can afford it or can take advantage of the available tax credits. The current rules have those unable to afford solar are paying for this through increased monthly electric bills.
The performance, at least here in Maine is realsicly around 15% and its as simple as the weather and sunshine and still not reality at this point, just like electric vehicles. Give it time, like decades. Then I might listen.

 

[bnold]

Solar panels are subsidized by the US government before the chinese even produce the damn things. What do you think all the money going towards “green energy” is for?

A surge in development and adoption.

You aren’t countering my response, just asked a different question.

 

[bnold]

Obviously the electric rates will go up with all of the money being thrown at solar. They're paying $1,000/acre every month for 20,000 acres in this area plus all of the property taxes.
Somebody has to pay for all of that and the consumers will pay the bill one way or another.

Electric rates?

How is this related to tax income for counties?

Electric rates in my area have skyrocketed due to recent bankruptcy of Brazos Electric Coop, the mandated upgrades of plants and NG distribution, fuel costs, inflation, etc… no one thing.

 

[bnold]

Do you have a link to this project anywhere?

I’m not familiar with other states, but just google any solar/wind farm county approval in Tx. Most county commissioner, zoning meetings, etc meeting minutes have this information available for public. It is the primary reason the solar/wind farms get approved around here. The county doesn’t care all that much about the individual land owner that is inline for increased income.

 

[MossRoad]

I’m not familiar with other states, but just google any solar/wind farm county approval in Tx. Most county commissioner, zoning meetings, etc meeting minutes have this information available for public. It is the primary reason the solar/wind farms get approved around here. The county doesn’t care all that much about the individual land owner that is inline for increased income.

The question was directed at the OP.

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

So you are against clearcutting then? well, then how much land has been clear-cut in the timber industry or for agriculture? I’m sure a lot of the bunnies are sad for those two purposes.

Trees are a crop, get used to it. Or do you propose corn farmers stop clearcutting their fields also?

 

[turbo36]

Trees are a crop, get used to it. Or do you propose corn farmers stop clearcutting their fields also?

You should slow your outrage down and reread my post and who it was intended for.

 

[turbo36]

Solar companies couldn’t survive 5 minutes without taxpayer subsidies.

Yeah, those darn subsidies! Imagine if they had subsidies for the horse industry, oh, wait, they do!

Sport of kings: Pennsylvania subsidizes horse racing with $3.5B

www.thecentersquare.com

 

[Hay Dude]

Yeah, those darn subsidies! Imagine if they had subsidies for the horse industry, oh, wait, they do!

Sport of kings: Pennsylvania subsidizes horse racing with $3.5B

www.thecentersquare.com

And????
Is that something I need to feel bad about?

Rather have beautiful fields with horses than covered with plastic chinese solar panels, partially built by slave labor.

 

[Hay Dude]

A surge in development and adoption.

You aren’t countering my response, just asked a different question.

No, actually I am countering your response. Solar panels for energy production are subsidized.
And don’t forget about the “funny money” getting sprinkled around to get those solar panels built faster than the chinese can make them.

If you really wanted to get more people behind covering the USA with solar panels, at least you could have them built here, but no, we destroy the fossil fuel industry and all it’s domestic jobs jobs, then flood china with taxpayer money for solar panels and the CCP.

Sign me up!

 

[Hay Dude]

Obviously the electric rates will go up with all of the money being thrown at solar. They're paying $1,000/acre every month for 20,000 acres in this area plus all of the property taxes.
Somebody has to pay for all of that and the consumers will pay the bill one way or another.

Yep! If it isn’t outright confiscation of taxpayer money for solar panels, it’ll be higher energy prices to fund them, maintain them, then take them all down when they realize what an epic failure they will be unless we keep taking it the shorts on taxes for them.

 

[Hay Dude]

Great story.

Can I also assume the man was white?

What about black women living in the city with kids they can't afford?

Do you understand how many domesticated pets are killed in the US because their owner didn't spend the time or money to have those pets "fixed"?

Do you understand how many unwanted children there are in foster care because their parents can't either afford them or have a VERY unhealthy living environment because their parents can't care for them properly?

I was "woke" up a long time about our society in general.

My father was not only a veteran, but spent a career in the military. On his headstone he was involved with two wars (Korea and Vietnam, also he only worked in Thailand and Laos, which I found interesting from veterans affairs). Father also came from a family that didn't have a pot to piss in when he grew up, but he made a life for himself after he spent 20 plus years in the military.

I remember helping a family for their pets. Man who we helped spent 20 years in the military and retired as a Master Sargent. He didn't have a pot to piss in even after 20 years in the military. We still helped him and his family, but it dawned on my that this guy and my father was no different other than what they did AFTER they got out of the military.

I'm a veteran. Does it help my argument with you because I served my county? For some reason, we put veterans as a "higher status" because they served. I'm of the opinion that EVERY citizen should serve.

What stayed with me after "growing up" is that life can suck. The question is what can you do to make changes? That said, what I decided to do was help locally through my church where I know my time and money helps directly.

No, it does not.

 

[bnold]

I didn’t say they weren’t subsidized.


You indicated the subsidy was required for ALL solar fields to ‘stand on their own’ ie be profitable.

That is false.

Just like an oil company can be profitable with our without a subsidy.



Then you went back to your China kick which is a road well traveled.

 

[Hay Dude]

I didn’t say they weren’t subsidized.


You indicated the subsidy was required for ALL solar fields to ‘stand on their own’ ie be profitable.

That is false.

Just like an oil company can be profitable with our without a subsidy.



Then you went back to your China kick which is a road well traveled.

I’d like to see a few of these windmill or solar farms “balance sheets”. I bet they took and continue to take taxpayer funds.

 

[5030]

I’d like to see a few of these windmill or solar farms “balance sheets”. I bet they took and continue to take taxpayer funds.

You got that right. Just like corn alcohol distillers. No allowance no work.

 

[5030]

No, actually I am countering your response. Solar panels for energy production are subsidized.

Reminds me of First Solar in Perrysburg, Ohio that bragged about making their panels domestically until it was found out they were coming across the pond and being rebadged 'Made in USA'.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

I’d like to see a few of these windmill or solar farms “balance sheets”. I bet they took and continue to take taxpayer funds.

They only continue to take taxpayer subsidies for replacements when a wind turbine fails or solar panels that get hit by hail or are otherwise damaged.

Wind turbines are an interesting site to see while they are on fire or are spinning out of control. I've watched the flashing and heard the noise of electrical arcing at 35,000 volts. Then all the smoke comes out and everything looks black and carbonized.

But you can fix it by putting the smoke back in with "smoke in a can".

https://www.amazon.com/UTC-Security-SM200-Smoke-Canned/dp/B0041X4GRK

Quite an old joke with Fire Alarm technicians and Electricians.
Oh well, I thought it was humorous.