Can someone explain this graph?

[secondsilicon]

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=solar+energy+in+usa

I get that there have been developments in technology, policy changes such as feed in tariffs, and changes in markets such as the rising cost of fossil fuels, but I was wondering if someone could explain the very sharp rises, plateauing, and again a sharp rise in the use of solar energy power in the USA.

It looks like something happened in 1988 to really boost the industry. It levels off for about 8-10 years, then in again in 2007 or so the line shoots straight up. I asked wolframalpha for only solar, but it also included tidal and wave energy. I can't imagine these would be a large part of the mix. But I could be wrong. I was wondering though, if there are specific events to explain the chart. Thanks

[russ]

Tax breaks - freebies for solar and it managed to reach 0.4% of overall power generation last year. Just imagine where it would be without free money being handed out - 0.04% maybe?

[secondsilicon]

Tax breaks - freebies for solar and it managed to reach 0.4% of overall power generation last year. Just imagine where it would be without free money being handed out - 0.04% maybe?

True we'd be far lower without incentives, but look what Germany has achieved through years of solar friendly policy. I'm guessing the this graph mirrors the overall demand for electricity in the U.S. But there's no question that solar sourced power has risen faster than regular demand. If you've got any links to the exact dates and names of bills passed by federal or state legislators back during Reagan administration to explain the first trend that'd be helpful. I doubt its easy to find. I can see Clinton passing some legislation, but Reagan? I mean he is the guy that took the solar panels off the whitehouse.

[russ]

True we'd be far lower without incentives, but look what Germany has achieved through years of solar friendly policy.
A lot of expensive solar systems and damn little total kWh - they really achieved nothing positive except to placate the green party.

I'm guessing the this graph mirrors the overall demand for electricity in the U.S. But there's no question that solar sourced power has risen faster than regular demand. If you've got any links to the exact dates and names of bills passed by federal or state legislators back during Reagan administration to explain the first trend that'd be helpful. I doubt its easy to find. I can see Clinton passing some legislation, but Reagan? I mean he is the guy that took the solar panels off the whitehouse.

Regan took the junk off the roof that Carter had stuck up there an was leaking - is that what you are talking about.

You are making a WAG (wild assed guess) that has zero basis in fact.

[Naptown]

Regan took the junk off the roof that Carter had stuck up there an was leaking - is that what you are talking about.

You are making a WAG (wild assed guess) that has zero basis in fact.

Actually they have been living and producing hot water at a Maine college from 1991- about 2 years ago when they attempted to return then to the White house.

[bonaire]

This is a list of generators and output. Shows solar is quite low compared to others.

http://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual/html/epa_04_03.html

The eia site shows actual details about energy generation. The op doesn't have to make any guesses or assumptions about the USA demand curve. There are numerous site that show the national energy demand by year. Just takes a bit of googling.

[Sunking]

The Graph is real easy to understand. The peaks are from Government funding aka free money.

[Sunking]

This is a list of generators and output. Shows solar is quite low compared to others.

http://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual/html/epa_04_03.html

The eia site shows actual details about energy generation. The op doesn't have to make any guesses or assumptions about the USA demand curve. There are numerous site that show the national energy demand by year. Just takes a bit of googling.

Foul ball and you have to be marginalized by dragging your name through the mud. No advocate wants anyone to know that solar PV only makes up 0.136% of name plate capacity and only generates 0.0227% of the national Kwh used. If that kind of information ever got out anyone who understands math will realize Solar has not contributed anything or saved a single ounce of emissions or one drop of oil. Well now that I think about it Americans are not educated enough to understand numbers, so you can tell them any lies you want. .