"Revamping the electric grid could yield huge cost savings, SolarCity report says"

[inetdog]

You're right !! What was I thinking ? Back to the drawing boards.

The devil is in the details. Just make sure that the hole is below the water level inside the boat and above the water level outside the boat.
(That may require lifting the boat out of the water.)

[jflorey2]

Utilities are inefficient monopolies which are facing competition for the first time. A lot of utilities are against energy efficient measure because it means less profit for them. The utilities have been overcharging consumers for decades. The free gravy train is coming to and end for the utilities. Consumers will win and utilities will lose.

I think your tune would change if the utilities said "you're right! We are shutting down and allowing you to enjoy the benefits of 'free' off-grid solar."

Of course, no need for anything that drastic. If you feel you are being cheated, you can leave the grid at any time and install a completely independent solar power system.

[SunEagle]

Utilities are inefficient monopolies which are facing competition for the first time. A lot of utilities are against energy efficient measure because it means less profit for them. The utilities have been overcharging consumers for decades. The free gravy train is coming to and end for the utilities. Consumers will win and utilities will lose.

Unfortunately Utilities are companies that have investors and are required to make a profit. IMO no worse than the pharmaceutical and insurance companies which get a much bigger share of my take home pay then my electric company will ever get.

Taking business away from the POCO is similar to pissing in the ocean. It is not going to make much of a dent.

[bob_bob]

Hello bob_bob and welcome to Solar Panel Talk.

Just for thought. I wouldn't say a company that makes a profit from selling solar equipment to be totally unbiased in what they report and how they report savings concerning solar.

Building micro grids is not a cookie cut type of plan due to the change in density of population and topography of the land. It will still take years for people to disconnect from their mean old POCO when it comes to generating electrical power.

If you want to save money then CA (and everyone else) should be looking at ways to reduce their electrical consumption. That will save billions of $$.

Utilities are inefficient monopolies which are facing competition for the first time. A lot of utilities are against energy efficient measure because it means less profit for them. The utilities have been overcharging consumers for decades. The free gravy train is coming to and end for the utilities. Consumers will win and utilities will lose.

[J.P.M.]

I thought that just putting a bigger hole in the boat would let the water drain out faster.

You're right !! What was I thinking ? Back to the drawing boards.

[SunEagle]

+1. I like the leaky boat analogy: Which do you think makes more sense - finding/stopping the leaks, or getting a bigger pump when they get worse ?

For the comparison, the solar industry in this case is analogous to pump manufacturers.

I thought that just putting a bigger hole in the boat would let the water drain out faster.

[J.P.M.]

If you want to save money then CA (and everyone else) should be looking at ways to reduce their electrical consumption. That will save billions of $$.

+1. I like the leaky boat analogy: Which do you think makes more sense - finding/stopping the leaks, or getting a bigger pump when they get worse ?

For the comparison, the solar industry in this case is analogous to pump manufacturers.

[SunEagle]

Hello bob_bob and welcome to Solar Panel Talk.

Just for thought. I wouldn't say a company that makes a profit from selling solar equipment to be totally unbiased in what they report and how they report savings concerning solar.

Building micro grids is not a cookie cut type of plan due to the change in density of population and topography of the land. It will still take years for people to disconnect from their mean old POCO when it comes to generating electrical power.

If you want to save money then CA (and everyone else) should be looking at ways to reduce their electrical consumption. That will save billions of $$.

[bob_bob]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...203-story.html

" A Modern electric grid that incorporates solar, battery storage, energy efficiency and smart technology could save Californians $1.4 billion a year, according to a report released Thursday by rooftop solar giant SolarCity.
In its 28-page report, SolarCity argues that the current utility model works against consumer interests by encouraging utilities to build more power lines, substations and other parts of the electric grid. Utilities typically receive a 10.5% return on the money they spend on projects.
"Utilities have a fundamental financial incentive of 'build more to profit more,' which conflicts with the public interest of building and maintaining an affordable grid," the report states. "This financial incentive model is a vestige of how utilities have always been regulated, a model originally constructed to encourage the expansion of electricity access."


SolarCity proposes creation of a body that would manage localized electricity generation, such as rooftop solar and battery storage. Utilities would continue to focus on managing the grid with revenue from providing distribution services rather than making money from building more."