Solar dying in the dark

[elektra]

The future of commercial solar looks dark. AI disagrees with me, I cant be wrong can I?

AI Overview

Wacker Chemical's Charleston, Tennessee facility is operational and expanding. The Wacker Chemie AG website states they completed a new pyrogenic silica production plant in 2019 and are developing the site into a fully integrated production facility. This includes plans for a new production facility for HDK® pyrogenic silica. While a fatal incident involving hydrochloric acid occurred in 2020, which the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) investigated, Wacker has since resumed operations. The CSB's investigation into the incident is closed, with findings indicating the need for improved safety measures.

 

[elektra]

My response to the above
wacker is not expanding

ai's response to the above fact shows you must know the right question to ask to get the right answer

Based on recent reports, Wacker Chemical has acknowledged a delay or "hold" on its planned expansion at the Charleston, Tennessee site, citing economic conditions as a factor in the timing. While they announced plans for a significant expansion in July 2022, including investments over $200 million and the creation of 200 new jobs, they are currently evaluating the timing and conditions for proceeding with this project.

 

[elektra]

I worked at Wacker Chemical inspecting the metal piping. I was there because of the people that got killed by the hydrogen chloride leak.

It was my job to inspect and analyze to ensure the plant was nit about to kill someone else

Hence I know what AI does not know. This solar plant may be shutting down

 

[elektra]

What about another part of our solar future, how is that doing

The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System consists of three units, but their status is changing.

Here's a breakdown of the current situation:

• Units 1 and 3: These units are scheduled to cease operations and be decommissioned starting in 2026. This is a result of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) terminating its long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Ivanpah's owners.
• Unit 2: This unit has a separate PPA with Southern California Edison (SCE) and is expected to remain in service. SCE is currently in discussions with the plant owners and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) about a potential buyout of its contract.

 

[elektra]

AI Mode

President Obama did praise Ivanpah as an example of America's clean energy future and leadership

. In a 2010 radio address, he described the Ivanpah Solar Power Plant in the Mojave Desert as "revolutionary" and "state of the art," promoting it as a representation of the nation's push towards a renewable energy economy. He stated that with projects like Ivanpah, the country was claiming leadership in the new global economy, emphasizing the plant's role in producing "clean ...

 

[elektra]

Now I state a unit is broke at ivanpah, ai gives me a confused answer

If you drove by the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System recently and observed one unit appearing to be "broken" or not operational, it could be Unit 1 or Unit 3.
Here's why:

 

[elektra]

AI is wrong again. One unit is already shutdown and it looks as if they are already dismantling it, the unit on the right, zoom in and look

 

[elektra]

What about solar on rooftops? How are they doing AI. It appears solar was a 100% fraud. Solar only works through laws that create an artificial market.
AI Overview
+10

The largest solar bankruptcy in California, and possibly the largest in the U.S. residential solar sector, is SunPower, according to multiple sources. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2024, following a period of financial struggles and the impact of California's net metering 3.0 policy.

 

[elektra]

Solar in Spain, how is that doing according to AI?

AI Overview​

Spain has seen a rapid expansion of solar energy, but is now facing challenges related to market saturation, price volatility, and grid management issues. While solar power wasn't the direct cause of a recent major blackout, grid infrastructure and operational practices are under scrutiny.

 

[elektra]

Now I must argue with AI, I stated solar was the problem in spain

However, the idea that solar power was the direct cause of the recent blackout in Spain is not supported by the official investigations and reports from both the Spanish government and the grid operator, Redeia.
What the Evidence Suggests:

• Grid Management Failure: Investigations have pointed to a failure in grid management and operation as the primary cause of the outage.
• Voltage Control Issues: The Spanish government's report indicated that the grid operator miscalculated the energy mix and that some conventional power plants (thermal, including nuclear) failed to maintain the correct voltage level, leading to a surge that triggered disconnections

 

[elektra]

I then stated the same thing with different words

You are right to point out that managing the grid with large amounts of solar power presents challenges, specifically regarding frequency and voltage stability. Here's why and what's being done:
The Challenges:

• Intermittency and Variability: Solar power generation depends on sunlight, which fluctuates with weather and time of day. This can cause rapid changes in power output, potentially leading to frequency and voltage deviations on the grid.

 

[elektra]

I did not point out what ai, claims. This is my statement they, "ellipsed." The direct cause of the problems with the grid is due to spain's solar frequency and voltage fluctuations. AI is not learning or smart, just doing what it is told.

 

[shockedcanadian]

The future of commercial solar looks dark. AI disagrees with me, I cant be wrong can I?

AI Overview

View attachment 1130582

Wacker Chemical's Charleston, Tennessee facility is operational and expanding. The Wacker Chemie AG website states they completed a new pyrogenic silica production plant in 2019 and are developing the site into a fully integrated production facility. This includes plans for a new production facility for HDK® pyrogenic silica. While a fatal incident involving hydrochloric acid occurred in 2020, which the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) investigated, Wacker has since resumed operations. The CSB's investigation into the incident is closed, with findings indicating the need for improved safety measures.

The technology needed to be far more efficient. If somehow some technology becomes so advanced that you can charge a futuristic solar car in an hour via the sun or it can be leveraged to run powerful industrial macines it will take off. I remember as a kid that calculators were run on solar, even just power from lightbulb light, it was fascinating to me. Decades later and these solar panels don't appear to be as effective as one would have hoped. This is where a Western nation could take over from China (until they steal the technology), develop solar power that leverages 100% of solar light rather than the meager amount it converts today.

 

[WorldWatcher]

The technology needed to be far more efficient. If somehow some technology becomes so advanced that you can charge a futuristic solar car in an hour via the sun or it can be leveraged to run powerful industrial macines it will take off. I remember as a kid that calculators were run on solar, even just power from lightbulb light, it was fascinating to me. Decades later and these solar panels don't appear to be as effective as one would have hoped. This is where a Western nation could take over from China (until they steal the technology), develop solar power that leverages 100% of solar light rather than the meager amount it converts today.

Personally I don't think solar power generation is the problem.

Energy storage is the problem. It's (to me) not about how much can I deliver to the grid. It's about how much can be deliverred to the grid rain or shine, day or night, sunny or cloudy. Electrical demand does not end at sundown.

WW

 

[luiza]

AI is not learning or smart, just doing what it is told.

The very reason that I have zero trust in it when asked to respond to anything other than the prosaic .

It's good on 2 + 2 = ? , type questions but it is vulnerable to shenanigans for open ended questions .

 

[sparky]

i have no patience for a shill industry that can't do the math looking for subsidies , not sorry

~S~

 

[1srelluc]

i have no patience for a shill industry that can't do the math looking for subsidies , not sorry

~S~

Boom! Head shot.

Subsidies go away then so does most of the renewable energy boondoggle.

 

[Moonglow]

i have no patience for a shill industry that can't do the math looking for subsidies , not sorry

~S~

Who electrified the rural USA?

 

[elektra]

The technology needed to be far more efficient. If somehow some technology becomes so advanced that you can charge a futuristic solar car in an hour via the sun

The sun is not that strong. Watts per square ft of the earth is an impossible fact that is kept quiet

 

[leftwinger]

Personally I don't think solar power generation is the problem.

Energy storage is the problem. It's (to me) not about how much can I deliver to the grid. It's about how much can be deliverred to the grid rain or shine, day or night, sunny or cloudy. Electrical demand does not end at sundown.

WW

Not 100% true. In broad terms, by the time you recoup purchase, maintenance and installation costs, you need new panels.//