Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
1–10 of 143 posts
Re: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
#2Original report here: http://www.eei.org/ourissues/finance/Documents/disruptivecha...
I believe that distributed energy is the future, plugging your house into your car, charging your car with solar and selling power to the grid when your forecasted household demand is lower then your forecasted supply.
Because of the internet we now have distributed information and it is changing the world in every way. Anyone can share anything in real-time with the world. Everyone is a producer and consumer of information now.
The impact of everyone being both a producer and consumer of energy will also be profound.
Re: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
#3The culture of protecting existing businesses is becoming infuriating to read about. Businesses are there because they're the most efficient way to solve the needs of a group of people. If circumstances change and a better solution presents itself then both new and _existing_ businesses have an opportunity to take advantage of it. There's absolutely nothing to stop the existing utility companies being the companies that lead the charge with solar power.
Re: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
#4Not to mention lumen per dollar increase rate of LED lighting, tablets that consume 4 watts, refrigerators that use half the power of the average installed fridge, etc.
The falling prices of solar PV panels has been incredible. Most expected the price of $0.72 per peak watt to be reached in 2028, not 2013.
Re: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
#5Original report here: http://www.eei.org/ourissues/finance/Documents/disruptivecha... I believe that distributed energy is the future, plugging your house into your car, charging your car with solar and selling power to the grid when your forecasted household demand is lower then your forecasted supply. Because of the internet we now have distributed information and it is changing the world in every way. Anyone can s…
As a small part of this information revolution, may I suggest a (free as PDF) book on the energy problem and the varying efficacy of its potential solutions, available from here: http://www.withouthotair.com/.
It's an eye-opening read for the most part and uses real-world figures for its estimates to show just what might and might not work in replacing fossil fuels around the world.
I wouldn't have been as interested in reading it myself if the Economist/Bill Gates hadn't given it their approval.
Re: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
#6The culture of protecting existing businesses is becoming infuriating to read about. Businesses are there because they're the most efficient way to solve the needs of a group of people. If circumstances change and a better solution presents itself then both new and _existing_ businesses have an opportunity to take advantage of it. There's absolutely nothing to stop the existing utility companies being the companies t…
[deleted]
Re: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
#7This is nice if it leads to a switch to cheaper localized non monopolistic electricity. However, I wonder if the chain reaction could lead to widespread utilities bankruptcies and maybe even cascate to another debt crisis affecting the already fragile financial and government sectors.
Re: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
#8I doubt most people can afford enough solar and battery storage to power all the air conditioning needed for the longer, hotter summers we are having.
We'll just use less coal which is a great thing, until the coal industry starts getting subsidies to stay alive in a few decades (which is certainly going to happen considering their political power).
Grid-tie is a much better answer for people and utilities though. Solves the daytime demand problem.
Re: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
#9More like: business model of utilities disrupted by
distributed energy resources.
Also, peak demand in CA is at 9 pm, not noon: https://www.caiso.com/outlook/outlook.html
The underlying problem is the mismatch between the old business model:
Generate, distribute, and deliver electricity;
charge for connection to grid and for
electricity delivered and consumed.
Generate *or* purchase electricity from various providers,
including households with solar panels,
distribute and deliver electricity,
charge for distribution, delivery, availability,
and for electricity consumed.
Utilities are facing a similar disruption, and their challenges include restructuring their generation / collection / distribution system; the costing and billing to support that; the regulatory and funding environment to cope with all of that; and to do it with generating plant equipment that will have very long term costs. I wish them luck.
Re: Solar panels could destroy U.S. utilities, according to U.S. utilities
#10This is nice if it leads to a switch to cheaper localized non monopolistic electricity. However, I wonder if the chain reaction could lead to widespread utilities bankruptcies and maybe even cascate to another debt crisis affecting the already fragile financial and government sectors.
To be honest, that would be an awesome thing to watch it unfold.