Ed: As you well know, saying that solar has an average capacity factor is 25% is an enormous overstatement. The average person translates that as "Solar can be counted on to produce its rated power 25% of the time" which is simply not true. The explanation as to why not is too long for such a comment, but suffice it to say that we have little idea as to exactly how many clouds will appear and when.
What does this mean regarding the Grid? The answer is that for every MW of solar installed, there has to be an ADDITIONAL MW of dependable power (e.g., gas) also installed and operating. That is just part of the insanity of wind and solar — we are building (and citizens are paying for) this VERY EXPENSIVE energy source, that must be 100% duplicated, AND causes a slew of unintended consequences (like often requiring new transmission lines), etc, etc. (See <https://election-integrity.info/Energy/Solar_Energy_Concerns.pdf>.)
How can that make any sense — other than to technically illiterate, virtue signaling legislators?
Naturally, the guilty parties will be long gone, and those that remain will deflect blame elsewhere. No one will pay an appropriate price for this self-serving incompetence. This reality emboldens legislators to forge downward, in their race to the bottom.
This is dating myself, however I lived off of the grid in northern Nevada back in the 90's. My power was provided by a solar array with a back-up generator. I had a reasonably large 24 volt battery bank and was able to live pretty well. However, this entailed CAREFULLY monitoring my batteries and my insolation values as well as depending upon propane hot water, refrigeration and dryer as well as wood heat. To run my washer, I had to fire up the generator. For water, I installed a 2000 gallon cistern on an adjacent hillside and used gravity to provide my water pressure. To pump the water to the cistern, I had to use the generator.
Long and short...... the claims of solar and/or wind viability do not come from experience, but rather from people who want to sell this pipe dream to the populace.
I have been told years ago, that there is only 1 Kw per square meter ever delivered by the Sun. This could never change as the sun is pretty constant. ?
Ed - Don't these large solar fields have tracking systems that tilt the panels toward the most direct sun rays? Of course they can only tilt through one arc; but I thought that technology was pretty far along. Thanks.
Ed: As you well know, saying that solar has an average capacity factor is 25% is an enormous overstatement. The average person translates that as "Solar can be counted on to produce its rated power 25% of the time" which is simply not true. The explanation as to why not is too long for such a comment, but suffice it to say that we have little idea as to exactly how many clouds will appear and when.
What does this mean regarding the Grid? The answer is that for every MW of solar installed, there has to be an ADDITIONAL MW of dependable power (e.g., gas) also installed and operating. That is just part of the insanity of wind and solar — we are building (and citizens are paying for) this VERY EXPENSIVE energy source, that must be 100% duplicated, AND causes a slew of unintended consequences (like often requiring new transmission lines), etc, etc. (See <https://election-integrity.info/Energy/Solar_Energy_Concerns.pdf>.)
How can that make any sense — other than to technically illiterate, virtue signaling legislators?
It apparently makes sense to "technically illiterate, virtue signaling" bureaucrats and climate alarmists as well. ;-)
The real "fun" will begin when that dependable, dispatchable power generation is shuttered.
Of course by "fun" you mean disaster to the public. (For example, see my earlier commentary about what happens when the Grid goes down, which is the unequivocal direction we are going <https://criticallythinking.substack.com/p/what-will-happen-when-the-grid-goes>.)
Naturally, the guilty parties will be long gone, and those that remain will deflect blame elsewhere. No one will pay an appropriate price for this self-serving incompetence. This reality emboldens legislators to forge downward, in their race to the bottom.
Six Phases of a Project
Enthusiasm
Disillusionment
Panic
Search for the guilty
Punishment of the innocent
Praise and honors for the non-participants
;-)
https://www.therightinsight.org/Six-Phases-of-a-Project
Ed,
This is dating myself, however I lived off of the grid in northern Nevada back in the 90's. My power was provided by a solar array with a back-up generator. I had a reasonably large 24 volt battery bank and was able to live pretty well. However, this entailed CAREFULLY monitoring my batteries and my insolation values as well as depending upon propane hot water, refrigeration and dryer as well as wood heat. To run my washer, I had to fire up the generator. For water, I installed a 2000 gallon cistern on an adjacent hillside and used gravity to provide my water pressure. To pump the water to the cistern, I had to use the generator.
Long and short...... the claims of solar and/or wind viability do not come from experience, but rather from people who want to sell this pipe dream to the populace.
Also, with Net Zero, no more generators. Oh, well!
Hail Storm in Damon, Texas on 3 24 24 destroys 1,000’s of acres of solar farms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51KlNVdhLFQ
Was the hail caused by climate change? ;-) "Enquiring minds want to know."
I have been told years ago, that there is only 1 Kw per square meter ever delivered by the Sun. This could never change as the sun is pretty constant. ?
Current solar PV collectors are near their theoretical efficiency limit, so not much potential there either.
Ed - Don't these large solar fields have tracking systems that tilt the panels toward the most direct sun rays? Of course they can only tilt through one arc; but I thought that technology was pretty far along. Thanks.
Some do, some don't. Tracking adds system cost and increases maintenance costs.
Dual axis tracking systems are also available. They are used for solar power towers, such as Crescent Dunes.