Talk of The Villages Florida - New Solar initiative

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- The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)

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Sorry, my numbers are correct. For example, measured solar radiation at Miami, OK on March 30, 2016 at 2:30PM in standard units of watts/m^2.

Measured: 57 watt/m^2
Maximum Possible: 983 watts/m^2

94% degradation.

I don't see anything quantitative from you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 1207464)

this again is where we disagree, I recall you telling us you're a scientist.

You are referring to testing......that great but not real time in the fields use.

That's not to say test results are incorrect, but real time in the field is far superior to use as examples.

for example

It’s possible to exceed your solar system’s power rating and produce more power that you could on a sunny day. Known as the “edge of cloud” effect, this happens when the sun passes over the outer edge of a cloud, magnifying the sunlight. The intense light causes your solar system to boost power output temporarily, which can help balance out losses from full cloud cover.

.

I grew up in Pennsylvania, where all of the electric utilities are deregulated. Basically, when the customer gets there bill, there is a line charge for power (the customer was allowed to shop for their electric supplier), there was a line item for power delivery (for the distribution company infrastructure), a line item for taxes (you cannot forget the state), and a line item for basically electric system upgrades.

So, if FL was deregulated, I being a SECO customer, could go the Duke if their power was lower cost then SECO. I actually worked for an Electric Utility, and for many years bought my power from MetEd as they were lower cost, later, the utility I worked for became the lower cost supplier, and I changed to them.

In this scenario the local electric company become the delivery company for power (aka think of UPS or FEDEX). The generation facilities were spun off, and were separate from the distribution companies, and became the power suppliers. The very large bulk power lines (like the ones cutting through TV) were handled by a large independent transmission operator, in this case PJM.

When PA initiated REPS (renewal energy portfolio standards) the utilities were required to provide a specific amount of their power from RENEWABLE resources. They could do it themselves by building their own renewal generation facilities), they could purchase renewal energy from others (think large wind farms or large solar installations), or they could offer rebates to home owners.

I firmly believe that the PA residents got significant savings from this model. There are many states that have this type of system. Unfortunately, Florida is not setup this way, and any 'subsidy' to a homeowner, will probably be reflected in an increase in the others users rates. IMHO, until FL gets into the 21st century, and allows deregulation of the utility industry, you will probably not see a level playing field for solar.

This is the very short description of over 20 years of evolution of the utility system in PA and many others states.

Hope this helps in providing some background in this discussion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo2012 (Post 1207384)

Just so folks understand this is "Net metering"

Maybe because I didn't have my coffee yet, I'm not following that.

care to elaborate?

I read "reduced strain on the utility grid. They also point out that, as a cornerstone policy enabling the growth of rooftop solar, net metering creates a host of societal benefits for all ratepayers that are generally not accounted for by the utility analysis, including: public health benefits, employment and downstream economic effects, market price impacts, grid security benefits, and water savings"
Net Metering Benefits

Since we're on the subject reduction of our "carbon foot print"

jimbo: First I am not against renewables I am against nanny government picking winners and losers and the fraud and abuse inherit in government programs. I prefer private market competition to determine outcomes.

However the top 10 states with the most home solar installations are California, Hawaii New York, Massachusetts Colorado, Arizona, New Jersey, Nevada, Maryland and Louisiana. Six of those state either have already or have legislation pending that will change net metering programs (sell backs) or raise the monthly fees charged to home solar users for hooking up their equipment to the power grid. These states claim that 96% of their users are non solar and as such they are stuck paying for all cost to maintain electrical grids.

There are an additional 24 states that are weighing changes to their incentive for rooftop solar power or other renewal programs. The energy industry claimed it is about fairness to customers?