California is first state with 5% of its electricity from solar (San Jose: 2015, homes)

[SkyNet1]

This is great and now if we could only fix our water issues.

http://www.fortune.com/2015/03/24/ca...-solar-energy/

[BayAreaHillbilly]

The only reason we get even 5% from Solar is due to the combined effects of individual rate payers installing their own solar (which does make economic sense in many cases) and, the rate-payer / tax-payer subsidized mass generation facilities of SCE and PG&E (which make no economic sense at all). Without the latter, it would be a minor sliver of the generation pie.

[shooting4life]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

The only reason we get even 5% from Solar is due to the combined effects of individual rate payers installing their own solar (which does make economic sense in many cases) and, the rate-payer / tax-payer subsidized mass generation facilities of SCE and PG&E (which make no economic sense at all). Without the latter, it would be a minor sliver of the generation pie.

Most of the time the only reason the home based systems make economic senses for the homeowners is the tax rebates (meaning money that was taken from a tax payer) that make it somewhat affordable if you are in a high tier plan.

Of course if they built a few new and safe nuclear power plants we can provide cheaper energy that, ironically, produces less dangerous waste than the manufacturing and disposals of solar panels.

[chuckmann]

Originally Posted by SkyNet1

This is great and now if we could only fix our water issues.

California is first state with 5% of its electricity from solar - Fortune

is this why my electric bill keeps climbing?

[JGC97]

I would love to utilize the sun to power my home but it's just too darned expensive. Actually, every solar product (aside from outdoor lights) is quite pricey right now. I guess it's like a big screen TV. As more people buy, the price comes down.

For this state, solar is a great alternative.

[SkyNet1]

I got an estimate last year regarding solar panels for my home and they quoted me about $24,000 for installation. I passed because at my current monthly electric bill it would take around 25 years to recoup the cost. Now I keep getting calls from different contractors about solar panels at least 4 times a week so they are trying to push it to our homes but it is just too costly for me to justify it at the moment.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by shooting4life

Most of the time the only reason the home based systems make economic senses for the homeowners is the tax rebates (meaning money that was taken from a tax payer) that make it somewhat affordable if you are in a high tier plan.

Of course if they built a few new and safe nuclear power plants we can provide cheaper energy that, ironically, produces less dangerous waste than the manufacturing and disposals of solar panels.

Germany has nixed the nuclear route. They probably know a thing or two about this.

[marcopolo666]

There was a very interesting article in today's paper about California using more and more renewable energy. It seems that today 23% of generated electricity is currently renewable, and the state seems on track to meet its goal of 33% renewable by 2020. The article points out a very interesting point - the disadvantage is that there is currently no way to 'store' the energy generated via renewable resources. When the sun is up, you have electricity being generated. The sun goes down, no more electricity from that provider. Ditto the wind - when it's blowing you get juice, when it's calm you get squat. Thus there is very broad swing of solar-generated power. From (say) 12PM-3PM, you are producting the max amount of electricity. But when 9PM hits, there is virtually no electricity being generated until (say) 9AM the next morning. The reason it's a problem is that with no way to store the electricity, 'traditional' power plants have to be ramped up to cover the 'missing' electricity, and most of the power plants in this state can't do that quickly - it can take an entire day to go from 'off' to 'full power' mode.

California's shift toward renewables makes energy harder to manage - San Jose Mercury News

[shooting4life]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

Germany has nixed the nuclear route. They probably know a thing or two about this.

We actually have a vast nuclear infrastructure in the military that is safe and produces all the energy they need. They probably know a thing or two about this.

Modern nuclear power plants are safer than all other large scale power sources, damage to the environment is less than other major energy types and creates the least amount of waste. Moving away from nuclear power was probably the worst domestic policy decision of the last 50 years.

[Freak80]

Originally Posted by shooting4life

We actually have a vast nuclear infrastructure in the military that is safe and produces all the energy they need. They probably know a thing or two about this.

Modern nuclear power plants are safer than all other large scale power sources, damage the environment the lest and create the least amount of waste. Moving away from nuclear power was probably the worst domestic policy decision of the last 50 years.

I tend to agree, but is it really a good idea to put nuke plants in a state that gets big earthquakes?