Why doesn't Arizona use solar power? (Phoenix, Yuma: real estate, apartment, transporting)

[Millenial Hippy]

It's getting to the point where if they don't do something soon, summers will be hotter and even more miserable across the state, in some places maybe unliveable. Solar panels are now almost as cheap as coal burning plants, so it seems the main anti-environment arguments are a tad stale. Plus, if there's one thing Arizona has tons of, it's sunshine. So why isn't there a push to develop solar power there?

[GeneR]

Because it costs a gazillion dollars and not nearly as efficient as nuclear and other forms of energy.


"Unfortunately, solar and wind technologies require huge amounts of land to deliver relatively small amounts of energy, disrupting natural habitats. Even an aging natural gas well producing 60,000 cubic feet per day generates more than 20 times the watts per square meter of a wind turbine. A nuclear power plant cranks out about 56 watts per square meter, eight times as much as is derived from solar photovoltaic installations. The real estate that wind and solar energy demand led the Nature Conservancy to issue a report last year critical of "energy sprawl," including tens of thousands of miles of high-voltage transmission lines needed to carry electricity from wind and solar installations to distant cities."~Washington Post Opinions, Robert Bryce, April, 2010

[SageCats]

Originally Posted by GeneR

Because it costs a gazillion dollars and not nearly as efficient as nuclear and other forms of energy.

Yes, you're correct:
How efficient are solar panels?

"Most solar panels on people's houses, for example, are fairly inefficient. Less than 14% of the energy that reaches them will be converted to electricity."

[ajonesaz]

What are you talking about - there has been a major push for solar in Arizona.

APS just finished up the Solana Solar Farm - The largest solar generating station in the WORLD! Not to mention there are three other large solar generating stations in AZ.

In my neighborhood 10-15% of homes have solar on their roof. ASU and many big companies have solar covered parking lots.

Solar has slowed, because solar panels were "cheap" because of government subsidation and rebates and a lot of the funding has dried up.

[corydon]

Drive to Yuma.......

[Hschlick84]

If solar power is being subsidized by the government, then it's obviously not working for a reason. Let free market capitalism and private companies take advantage of the green energy. Arizona has no reason not to be #1 in solar energy.

Top 10 Solar States | SEIA

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by Millenial Hippy

It's getting to the point where if they don't do something soon, summers will be hotter and even more miserable across the state, in some places maybe unliveable. Solar panels are now almost as cheap as coal burning plants, so it seems the main anti-environment arguments are a tad stale. Plus, if there's one thing Arizona has tons of, it's sunshine. So why isn't there a push to develop solar power there?

They are inefficient mainly because what happens is that they are tied to normal electric lines and your power company will give a rebate. People say you use only 14% (someone quoted that above me) and I believe it. This is because most, emphasis on most, people are working during the day and are not at home when solar panels are at maximum efficiency. So while the solar panels are collecting this electricity, they are not STORING it for you, they are sending it back to your electric company which you probably won't see return to you but sent to those who are home during the day.

I believe if your heart really desired you could store your own electricity (it's definitely something that's been invented for solar power) which you gained from the solar panels but you would probably be ineligible for the rebate from your electric company and maybe even ineligible for other government benefits for installing it. You'd also still be connected to the electric company assuming you don't live in the boonies, and it's not like you would be allowed to get out of the public electric lines.

Also some houses are ineligible for them if you live in an HOA. Solar panels are always put in facing the South. If your front yard faces the South and you live in an HOA there's a good chance you are ineligible to put them in due to the fact they are "ugly" by HOA standards. However I think if you face West or East you might be ok, it depends. Also not sure how it would work for flat-roofed houses for solar panels in HOAs.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

If solar power is being subsidized by the government, then it's obviously not working for a reason. Let free market capitalism and private companies take advantage of the green energy. Arizona has no reason not to be #1 in solar energy.

Top 10 Solar States | SEIA

I agree 100% Hschlick84. In fact I read some articles saying that some studies are experimenting with transporting solar power energy. It could be a big business for us in the future, but right now it is very costly.

[Deelighted]

The apartment I live in has solar panels on the roof and the apartment is all electric. My highest monthly bill this winter was $45 and my lowest bill so far is $16. Arizona Goes Solar > Utility Incentives > Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative

[jamies]

Isn't the largest solar array in the country outside of Phoenix? The one that has been cooking birds that try to fly over it?