The Heavy Burden of Solar Power

[elektra]

What is the Burden of Solar Power, is there a Burden? Absolutely, no matter how hard they hide the truth, it can still be found for those who wish to see the facts.

Anyhow, I ran across this article on the Burden Solar puts on the budgets of the Local Government. Added Fire and Police, added infrastructure has costs as well, such as roads, gas lines, water lines, and much more.

Los Angeles Times says it best.

Solar power plants burden the counties that host them
Eager for jobs and tax money, Mojave Desert counties welcomed big solar projects. But they may have been too optimistic. And expanding emergency services and infrastructure isn't cheap

So the county grew giddy last year as it began to consider hosting a huge, clean industry. BrightSource Energy, developer of the proposed $2.7-billion Hidden Hills solar power plant 230 miles northeast of Los Angeles, promised a bounty of jobs and a windfall in tax receipts. In a county that issued just six building permits in 2011, Inyo officials first estimated that property taxes from the facility would boost the general fund 17%.

But upon closer inspection, the picture didn't seem so rosy.

An economic consultant hired by the county found that property tax revenue would be a fraction of the customary amount because portions of the plant qualifiy for a solar tax exclusion. Fewer than 10 local workers would land permanent positions — and just 5% of the construction jobs would be filled by county residents. And construction workers are likely to spend their money across the nearby state line, in Nevada.

Once the plant begins operation, the county estimates taxpayers will foot the bill for nearly $2 million a year in additional public safety and other services.

The Tax Payer pays the high cost of Solar while the Democrats and the Activists lie to our face, telling us how cheap Solar is.

 

[ScienceRocks]

And this is why solar is being installed by the free market as the second largest source of new energy this year.

You can't make this shit up.

 

[Tom Sweetnam]

So the democrats are paying $2.50 for every dollar worth of power. What else is new?

 

[ScienceRocks]

So the democrats are paying $2.50 for every dollar worth of power. What else is new?

Solar is over most of the sunnier portions of this country is cheaper per kw than Coal. Ever so slightly more expensive than natural gas...

 

[Mr. H.]

There will soon, very soon, come a time when coal-fired electricity generation becomes so hampered by EPA mandates that we will find ourselves in rolling blackouts. Obama is needlessly hammering this nation into oblivion. Not only on the Energy front, but on many others- race relations, the economy, jobs creation...

Obama is the ultimate Flag of Fuck. His dick is in the wrong pocket.

LOL- well, it's certainly not in his wife's pussy.

 

[Tom Sweetnam]

So the democrats are paying $2.50 for every dollar worth of power. What else is new?

Solar is over most of the sunnier portions of this country is cheaper per kw than Coal. Ever so slightly more expensive than natural gas...

That all depends on how creative your accounting is, Matthew.

 

[elektra]

And this is why solar is being installed by the free market as the second largest source of new energy this year.

You can't make this shit up.

The only thing "free", is the money given by politicians to the "free market".

Its not a "free market", its a monopoly, Utilities have a monopoly over the customers, everyone knows this. In Los Angeles the market is owned by SCE, hence it is heavily regulated by the Government, you see the Government recognizes the market is no free, its a monopoly, hence the courts have traditionally protected the people by regulating the rates.

Free Market, mattpooh, your ignorance should be criminal, I would say you lie but it really seems like you do not think about what you post, there is no "Free Market" when it comes to consumers and the choice of power we must by.

 

[Old Rocks]

Texas Solar SEIA

Notable Solar Installations in Texas

• Alamo 1 Solar Farm was completed in 2013 by developer OCI Solar Power. This photovoltaic project has the capacity to generate 41 MW of electricity-- enough to power over 3,800 Texas homes.
• Another utility-scale project, Pflugerville Solar Power Plant, is currently under construction in Texas and is scheduled to come online in 2015. Developed by RRE Austin Solar, this 48 MW photovoltaic project will generate enough electricity to power 5,200 homes.
• At 30 MW, Austin Energy Project in Webberville is among the largest solar installations in Texas. Completed in 2011 by SunEdison, this photovoltaic project has enough electric capacity to power more than 2,800 homes.

Looks other sunny states are also installing a lot of solar.

 

[Old Rocks]

Cheapest Solar Ever Austin Energy Buys PV From SunEdison at 5 Cents per Kilowatt-Hour Greentech Media

Texas utility Austin Energy is going to be paying 5 cents per kilowatt-hour for solar power, and it could mean lower customer rates.

City-owned Austin Energy is about to sign a 25-year PPA with Sun Edison for 150 megawatts of solar power at "just below" 5 cents per kilowatt-hour. The power will come from two West Texas solar facilities, according to reports in the Austin American-Statesman. According to reports, around 30 proposals were at prices near SunEdison’s. Austin Energy has suggested that the PV deal will slightly lower rates for customers.

This is one of the lowest, if not the lowest, reported prices for contracted solar that we have seen. Last year, First Solar (FSLR) entered a 25-year PPA in New Mexico for 50 megawatts of solar power at 5.79 cents per kilowatt-hour. That number included a significant PTC from the state. The Macho Springs project, the Austin project and most solar projects of this nature rely on the 30 percent federal Investment Tax Credit.

Austin Energy's net sub-five cent price does not include any state PTC, according to Monty Humble of energy development firm Brightman EnergyLLC. He said that the utility was "to be commended" for this solicitation. Humble added, "Based on our analysis, it can be done. There's not a whole lot of profit in it, but it's not a loss leader. It's a legitimate bid."

Dang that ultra liberal state of Texas.

 

[Old Rocks]

Nevada Gets Three More Big Solar Projects

More big utility-scale solar PV projects are on the horizon in Nevada, where 480 megawatts (MW) have been approved by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Three companies won BLM's competitive solicitation: First Solar (200 MW); Invenergy (130 MW) and NV Energy, Nevada's biggest utility (150 MW).

Earlier this year, NV Energy announcedit would close four coal plants and re-direct investments to renewable energy and natural gas.

Located in Nevada's Dry Lake Solar Energy Zone, about 15 miles north of Las Vegas, they are near the 392 MW Ivanpah concentrating solar plant, which came online earlier last year. They have easy access to transmission lines that carry energy to California and Arizona.

Last week, First Solar started construction on another major project, the 250 MW Silver State South near Primm, Nevada, which will supply power to Southern California Edison under a 20-year contract. First Solar is also building the 250 MW Moapa Southern Paiute project in southern Nevada under a 25-year contract with Los Angeles Department of Power.

Hmmmmm.............. Looks like solar is on a roll.

 

[Old Rocks]

Agua Caliente Solar Project First Solar

Yuma County, Arizona, USA
The Agua Caliente Solar Project, located 65 miles east of the city of Yuma, Arizona, is the world’s largest operational PV power plant with 250MW (AC) connected to the electricity grid. First Solar designed and is constructing the plant and will operate and maintain the facility for owners NRG Energy and MidAmerican Solar. During the construction period, the site will employ a daily average of 400 to 450 workers. Upon completion, Agua Caliente will have a generating capacity of 290MW (AC).

A big one in Arizona.

 

[Old Rocks]

• Arizona Solar SEIA
  
  There are currently more than 360 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in Arizona, employing 8,558 people.
• In 2013, Arizona installed 701 MW of solar electric capacity, ranking it 2nd nationally.
• The 1,929 MW of solar energy currently installed in Arizona ranks the state 2nd in the country in installed solar capacity. There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 271,000 homes.
• In 2013, $1.2 billion was invested in Arizona to install solar for home, business and utility use.
• Average installed residential and commercial photovoltaic system prices in Arizona have fallen by 5% in the last year. National prices have also dropped steadily — by 8% from last year and 34% from 2010.
  
  Yes, Photovoltaic is big in Arizona

 

[Old Rocks]

New Mexico Solar SEIA

Facts on the New Mexico Solar Industry

• There are currently more than 93 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in New Mexico, employing 1,900 people.
• In 2013, New Mexico installed 45 MW of solar electric capacity, ranking it 13th nationally.
• The 319 MW of solar energy currently installed in New Mexico ranks the state 10th in the country in installed solar capacity. There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 73,000 homes.
• In 2013, $131 million was invested in New Mexico to install solar for home, business and utility use. This represents a 61% increase over the previous year, and is expected to grow again this year.
• The price to install solar on homes and businesses has dropped steadily across the country — by 8% from last year and 34% from 2010.

Looks like they like solar in New Mexico as well.

 

[Old Rocks]

First Wind Announces Agreement with Rocky Mountain Power for Clean Energy from Largest Solar Developments in Utah - First Wind

First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, today announced that it has finalized four 20-year power purchase agreements with Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp and part of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. As part of the power purchase agreements, Rocky Mountain Power will buy the output of the planned 320-megawatts (MW) (AC) “Four Brothers” solar development, which includes four, separate fully permitted 80 MW (AC) project sites. Rocky Mountain Power’s purchase is made in connection with its obligation under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, or PURPA, and follows seven (7) similar PURPA agreements for First Wind’s 20 MW (AC) “Seven Sisters” projects. These four solar projects will be located at sites in Beaver and Iron Counties.

“It is with great excitement that we announce this second set of major agreements for cost-competitive and locally produced solar energy in Utah,” said Paul Gaynor, CEO of First Wind. “These additional long-term contracts with Rocky Mountain Power will enable us to move forward quickly with what will be the largest solar development in Utah, and our largest solar project to date. When combined with our nearby Milford Wind project and Seven Sisters Projects, we will have a capacity to generate nearly 650 MW of clean electricity while serving as a source of major economic activity for Southern Utah through good construction jobs and significant local tax revenues.”

Looks like Utah likes solar, also.

 

[Old Rocks]

Colorado Solar SEIA

Facts on the Colorado Solar Industry

• There are currently more than 360 solar companiesat work throughout the value chain in Colorado,employing 3,600 people.
• In 2013, Colorado installed 56 MW of solar electric capacity, ranking it 10th nationally.
• The 376 MW of solar energy currently installed in Colorado ranks the state 8th in the country in installed solar capacity. There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 68,600 homes.
• In 2013, $233 million was invested in Colorado to install solar for home, business and utility use.
• Average installed residential and commercial photovoltaic system prices in Colorado have fallen by 17% in the last year. National prices have also dropped steadily — by 8% from last year and 34% from 2010.

And Colorado is doing the same.

 

[Old Rocks]

Well, in spite of your objections, solar is on a roll. And will continue to be as the prices come down. When the installation of the grid scale batteries start, both wind and solar will see a jump in installations, utility scale, and smaller scale for businesses that can generate their own power.

Strange to see a people make a political stand against an inevitable economic development. Especially one that has so many benefits. Less upfront costs, no cost for fuel, no costs that we the consumer have to bear such as childhood asthma and other illenesses caused from the coal fired plants.

 

[Abishai100]

Energy Equator


The development of solar-powered communities is important, since the 'idea' at least of people being less dependent on non-renewable and non-self-sustainable energy concepts means that our civilization is moving towards a more optimistic version of 'profiteerism.'

After all, if we can afford to distribute Burger King branches all over the world, then surely, we can take time to think about the beneficial aspects of energy re-orientation.

Developing solar energy is not cheap at face-value, but it seems to promote a general energy holism (i.e., solar-powered calculators), especially for the new age 'cool nerd.'





Solar-Powered Calculator

 

[ralfy]

As the IEA points out, solar and other energy sources will be necessary given peak oil coupled with global warming. The catch is that various energy sources have low quantity and quality and thus will not be able to maintain economic growth. In addition, oil will still be needed to manufacture components needed for these sources and infrastructure for distributing power.

 

[elektra]

Energy Equator


The development of solar-powered communities is important, since the 'idea' at least of people being less dependent on non-renewable and non-self-sustainable energy concepts means that our civilization is moving towards a more optimistic version of 'profiteerism.'

After all, if we can afford to distribute Burger King branches all over the world, then surely, we can take time to think about the beneficial aspects of energy re-orientation.

Developing solar energy is not cheap at face-value, but it seems to promote a general energy holism (i.e., solar-powered calculators), especially for the new age 'cool nerd.'





Solar-Powered Calculator

View attachment 38383

solar is not renewable, the panels require water for cleaning, breakdown, and do not provide the energy needed for a home, only 23% of homes have a south facing roof, less than half live where they would get adequate sun.

It takes a lot of energy to create those panels, that is why the most expensive form of energy.

How much has been spent thus far on solar? $1 Trillion? 2, 3, 4 trillion dollars, does anyone know the total cost to include research?

More fanciful dreams, but as long as you can find a liberal google link to a lobbyist it must be true.

 

[Old Rocks]

So, Elektra, old girl, you just keep repeating your lies, with nothing at all to back them up and expect anyone to believe your shit? You have to be one of the stupidest posters among a bevy of extremely stupid posters.

But all your silly ass lies will make not one whit of differance. The economics of solar are creating the demand, and that will only increase in the coming decades.