This here's a pretty fascinating article if'n you ain't seen

also the graph in section 2 in a bit misleading. It's a plot of the additional GW capacity and not actual generation. A GW of wind capacity is by no means the same as a GW of coal/nuclear/nat gas capacity. The capacity utilization of all renewable is a faction of that of fossil fuels.

Also, that's a graph of additions, not total in use. If that was a graph of installed capacity, you wouldn't hardly be able to distinguish the color of each renewable, as they would be so small versus the fossil fuels.

I'm not saying that renewables won't keep increasing (I hope they do 'cause I make $ off of it), but they simply aren't going to displace fossil fuels in our lifetime, unless there is some technology break through that we can't currently imagine.

On the topic of roof-top solar, there big problem developing at the moment between roof-top solar users, the local utilities, and the state regulators. I sat on a panel this past week at a utility metering conference in which that was one of the topics. Essentially, everyone wants to still be able to buy power from the grid when they need it, but don't want to pay for it under the current rate structures. The $/kWh way of billing is going to have to change with some kind of flat infrastructure component and that's going to be a huge change for the utility industry, etc...

flow0440

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Yes, residential rates are based on usage only....

Jun 26, 2015, 4:57 PM

(in general there are rare exceptions and sometimes tag-on's for large capital projects like nuclear power plants). When you get your bill, the amount you pay is based on the kWh's you used during the billing period. Commercial and industrial rates are normally different and typically contain demand charges (based on peak demand) and sometimes penalties for power-factor.

So...if an appreciable number of residential customers put on roof-top solar, they will not be paying nearly as much to their utility in usage/kWh charges. HOWEVER, when the sun isn't shining, they are still going to want to be able to buy electricity from the utility. So the utility needs to install and maintain essentially the same infrastructure, but with a lot less revenue coming in.

That will force the state regulators to allow the utilities to revisit the way we pay for electricity and it becomes very complicated on a number of fronts, including billing, system planning, generation planning, distribution and transmission design, and on and on.

I don't see anyway around the utility having to charge folks with solar roof-top a certain "connect" charge that they have to pay, even if they don't use a single kWh in a month...assuming they want to be connected to the grid and get electricity from it when they need it. That connect charge is being fought aggressively by solar manufactures, because it changes (potentially dramatically) the economics of what they're selling.

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Did not read

LOL...

I've been doing it wrong then

Does the wife know?***

She's usually asleep when it happens***

Nice to meet you Mr. Cosby.***

Hi

Insightful and correct.***

SC just changed their metering laws concerning solar...

Which change are you referring to?***

That pretty much puts the carbon crisis on hold.

Need to reread.***

I'm predicting a global temperature about the same...

Now that's a logical reply.... Adaptation. However, these

there is no carbon crisis

14 of the last 15 years... hottest on record. Get back in

"on record" hahahaha***

how many times have they changes their models as well.

once again, they have stayed the same the past 15 yrs

That's right.

I don't plan to be here a billion years from now. I'm just

Re: I don't plan to be here a billion years from now. I'm just

I, frankly, don't give a darn about somebody's "sample size"

Re: What % of your net income will you invest in these***

thats a lot of reflective heat

Global warming is a fact.

So it's strictly a political issue... Ignore the facts.***

actually you are ignoring the facts

My "comrades"... I don't know where you live, but I don't

corporate, ya i got so many connections to these big

So you're just a minion to their propaganda...?***

Yeah, and there was no internet and they still had phone

Some truth in this, but a whole lot more wishful thinking...

Billing structure...? Could you elaborate? Thanks.***

Yes, residential rates are based on usage only....

Thank you for such a clear explanation. I've previously

solar is not just impacted by extreme weather....

So the isolation switch is beyond the meter or between the

The impact of cloud cover does not depend on the panel...

Switching sounds straight forward. As to the panels, I'm

What is off peak metering?***

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