Posted on 01/29/2022 7:34:33 AM PST by Brian Griffin
Do the utility companies actually use the electricity generated by home solar systems?
Plain physics says it happens. The readings on all the gear, cannot lie.
On a good day I receive as much as 120kwh from the sun.
On a bad day can be as low as 10kwh.
In summer, 24 hour period, I can use as much as 150kwh.
In spring, same, can be as low as 40kwh usage.
All this travels in and out the utility lines.
Been there for 10 solid years now. Panels are still at least 90% of what they were new.
Any freeper that wants individual help, please freep mail me.
I’m at zip 33523.
“I don’t want to sell my solar energy back to the utility!”
I’ve looked into off-grid solar for my Florida house.
I personally would probably want separate 120- and 240-volt systems, with the 120-volt system having battery backup.
The reasons being to save on inverter costs and to avoid frying 120-volt equipment with 240-volt electricity.
I’ve done nothing since the solar stuff seems more suited to Chinese village and Third World installation than for larger American installations.
“What problem are you trying to solve by writing this article?”
The California solar electricity rate system problem that some people claim is causing many lower income Californians to overpay for electricity.
You’re a self-admitted communist who understands nothing about economics.
“the capital cost of the related non-solar backup capacity”
What does that mean?
My non-solar electric supply comes from Progress Energy (coal/nat gas/nuclear) as it has for years. There’s no “backup” here.
Unless I got a generator.
Considering most caribbean islands are still under british colonial control they do go for these prices.
“You seem to advocate an inconsistent and strange mixture of freedom and government control.”
Government is a necessity at times.
I’m sure you know the value of freedom.
There needs to be a proper balance.
“Do the utility companies actually use the electricity generated by home solar systems? Do they even collect it? Or is this a total public-private scam?”
Yes, the electricity that you send to them is used, but the payment is forced by law in some localities and therefore the utilities pay more for it than what it is worth.
“You’re a self-admitted communist who understands nothing about economics.”
That is a flat out lie to both assertions. I proved your assertions were bogus with linked facts. You flought the commie label like the racist label. To cower your victims. It does not work with me.
What kind of communist owns 3 companies and gets monthly gas royalties from under their farm?
So answer the questions you claim subsidies are not used by US companies for innovation and operating expenses.
I’m fairly certain the $52 billion subsidy package signed by both the democrats and republicans last summer for chip R&D and moving companies to the US is for that purpose.
What about the US farmers and their yearly subsidies? I can tell you they are buying equipment with it and improving their methods through innovation.
“Do you believe that anthropogenic climate change is a threat?”
How can it be a threat when it is not real? Are dragons a threat? Maybe hostile unicorns?
Battery technology needs to be refined for both solar panels and EVs. So I regard current state-of-the-art for solar panels and EVs as necessary pioneering work.
Try controlling yourself and not hijacking this thread into proving your communist beliefs.
So, what’s the problem? Feeding a separate circuit is brain dead simple.
“related non-solar backup capacity”
What does that mean?
The utility’s natural gas generating plants and high voltage distribution lines.
It excludes the utility’s solar installations and dedicated solar electricity transmission lines.
“The capital cost” means the interest & principal payments, maintenance costs and depreciation amounts.
Installers seem to be motivated to work with the utilities and are reluctant to do off grid installs.
Did I mention that gov’t hates anything that promotes independence?
“Try controlling yourself and not hijacking this thread into proving your communist beliefs.”
Some, perhaps most, solar companies are ONLY in the business of providing the solar systems where that is true. They don’t charge you up front for the system, and they sometimes call it a “lease back”. They keep the money the utility company pays until the system is paid off, which is never. You get some utility bill savings but you owe for the system. They also charge high rates for those systems, sometimes even double. These guys are total scam artists.
Find a company that designs solar systems for your custom needs. There might not be one in your area, though. It isn’t difficult to do at all, especially since you’re not connecting to the main power. You might just find a local electrician that will do it for you.
“Do you believe that anthropogenic climate change is a threat?”
It is location dependent.
It is and will be of no concern to 99% of Americans.
If you own a $20 million beach front mansion, expect to spend about 3% of its price to raise it up.
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