Before getting too excited, realize this is for solar in Abu Dhabi, where umm...they get tons of sunlight as it were :) Though his other graph "predicts" that solar in more temperate climes will equal natural gas in "2020?" http://rameznaam.com/2015/08/10/how-cheap-can-solar-get-very...
New Record Low Solar Price in Abu Dhabi – Costs Plunging Faster Than Expected
11–20 of 95 posts
Re: New Record Low Solar Price in Abu Dhabi – Costs Plunging Faster Than Expected
#12This whole machination thing will collapse as soon as the solar panel prices, along with the inverter and battery costs drop low enough to be part of every house. Once everyone generates and stores their own electricity, the residential market will go away. This might be another 20 to 30 years off, but it is inevitable. And once factories start building Stirling engines and solar facilities into their designs, the in…
Only for people that own their house; renters won't be able to take advantage of this because it's a lot of capital outlay that the home owner gets no benefit from. Same for anyone in an apartment. So the residential market for purchased electricity will never go away, but a significant reduction would still be a huge win.
I'm not seeing a collapse of the market, but I'd expect summertime A/C costs to be less than they would otherwise. Here in California, that's a solid win.
Re: New Record Low Solar Price in Abu Dhabi – Costs Plunging Faster Than Expected
#13Before getting too excited, realize this is for solar in Abu Dhabi, where umm...they get tons of sunlight as it were :) Though his other graph "predicts" that solar in more temperate climes will equal natural gas in "2020?" http://rameznaam.com/2015/08/10/how-cheap-can-solar-get-very...
Another great thing about Abu Dhabi and solar is that they can use the extra solar power during the day to ramp up water desalination and store energy as clean water.
Re: New Record Low Solar Price in Abu Dhabi – Costs Plunging Faster Than Expected
#14This whole machination thing will collapse as soon as the solar panel prices, along with the inverter and battery costs drop low enough to be part of every house. Once everyone generates and stores their own electricity, the residential market will go away. This might be another 20 to 30 years off, but it is inevitable. And once factories start building Stirling engines and solar facilities into their designs, the in…
There's no way that's true, the benefits of the grid will ensure it always exists in cities. It guarantees 24/7 power for all citizens, smooths out regional hiccups (i.e. if it's cloudy in one region), and allows better allocation of excess resources (i.e. to smelt aluminium).
It might, however, go away for cottages/cabins, or other rural buildings. Many people I know have generators at their cottages because the power is unreliable enough, and given the unreliability, the grid must be pretty expensive to maintain.
Re: New Record Low Solar Price in Abu Dhabi – Costs Plunging Faster Than Expected
#15This whole machination thing will collapse as soon as the solar panel prices, along with the inverter and battery costs drop low enough to be part of every house. Once everyone generates and stores their own electricity, the residential market will go away. This might be another 20 to 30 years off, but it is inevitable. And once factories start building Stirling engines and solar facilities into their designs, the in…
Only for people that own their house; renters won't be able to take advantage of this because it's a lot of capital outlay that the home owner gets no benefit from. Same for anyone in an apartment. So the residential market for purchased electricity will never go away, but a significant reduction would still be a huge win.
This is an interesting thought. Some apartment complexes already do some form of resold Internet or Cable access. I could see them doing a mass solar install similarly.
Re: New Record Low Solar Price in Abu Dhabi – Costs Plunging Faster Than Expected
#16This will create massive pressure on the price of oil. Why would anyone in their right mind not try to sell it off as fast as possible as it won't be worth much in a few years.
Solar doesn't really compete with oil. It competes with coal, natural gas, and nuclear power to power homes.
I would say it does. According to [1] 5% of electricity is generated from oil. Also I would guess that this capacity is mostly located in places where other generation types are not available (islands, remote locations etc) and will be overtaken by solar before coal.
Then also there is EV+solar combo (solar owners are more inclined to get ev and vice versa).
[1] http://www.tsp-data-portal.org/Breakdown-of-Electricity-Gene...
Re: New Record Low Solar Price in Abu Dhabi – Costs Plunging Faster Than Expected
#17Before getting too excited, realize this is for solar in Abu Dhabi, where umm...they get tons of sunlight as it were :) Though his other graph "predicts" that solar in more temperate climes will equal natural gas in "2020?" http://rameznaam.com/2015/08/10/how-cheap-can-solar-get-very...
Another great thing about Abu Dhabi and solar is that they can use the extra solar power during the day to ramp up water desalination and store energy as clean water.
It is not exactly storage, just a vital use.
Re: New Record Low Solar Price in Abu Dhabi – Costs Plunging Faster Than Expected
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
Only for people that own their house; renters won't be able to take advantage of this because it's a lot of capital outlay that the home owner gets no benefit from. Same for anyone in an apartment. So the residential market for purchased electricity will never go away, but a significant reduction would still be a huge win.
Renters can buy solar from those producing it via virtual net metering or community solar garden projects. Doesn't have to be on your own roof to opt in.
Plus if you offer me a place where I don't have to pay an electricity bill, I'm able to contribute that money towards a higher rent than otherwise.
Re: New Record Low Solar Price in Abu Dhabi – Costs Plunging Faster Than Expected
#19Earlier quoted context omitted.
Another great thing about Abu Dhabi and solar is that they can use the extra solar power during the day to ramp up water desalination and store energy as clean water.
It is not exactly storage, just a vital use.
But it is an use of electricity which can follow the availability as the produced water can be easily stored which for the practical use comes close.
Re: New Record Low Solar Price in Abu Dhabi – Costs Plunging Faster Than Expected
#20This will create massive pressure on the price of oil. Why would anyone in their right mind not try to sell it off as fast as possible as it won't be worth much in a few years.
You can easily store oil. Electricity, not so much. And oil is a necessary element for numerous chemical compounds, you cant really compare both.