03-01-2019, 12:43 PM
It performs more than a little better in the SW. With further technological improvements I believe solar has a role most everywhere.
For now I don't see it in use up north. Homeowners and municipalities made an investment in it decades ago and shortly there-after they weren't even worth the cost to repair and were abandoned. In so many words, your likely response is "well that was then, and this is now, technology has changed". I agree, but it needs to be done intelligently. If I was in charge we would mandate in the SW now, where it is economical, and that would cause research investment that would make it work in other locales some year soon.
In response to your Germany example, you are citing 6.5% solar. That may very well make sense in MN as they have very long summer days. That doesn't solve winter power needs in any way. For now the distribution network must exist. That is inarguable.
I think the US screwed up by not investing heavily in solar research 30 years ago. But we are here now and things changed. We have an unending supply of natty gas which is WAY cleaner than coal. That is the cheap alternative that renewable need to compete with. I didn't say be cheaper, just be cheap enough to make it economical.
For now I don't see it in use up north. Homeowners and municipalities made an investment in it decades ago and shortly there-after they weren't even worth the cost to repair and were abandoned. In so many words, your likely response is "well that was then, and this is now, technology has changed". I agree, but it needs to be done intelligently. If I was in charge we would mandate in the SW now, where it is economical, and that would cause research investment that would make it work in other locales some year soon.
In response to your Germany example, you are citing 6.5% solar. That may very well make sense in MN as they have very long summer days. That doesn't solve winter power needs in any way. For now the distribution network must exist. That is inarguable.
I think the US screwed up by not investing heavily in solar research 30 years ago. But we are here now and things changed. We have an unending supply of natty gas which is WAY cleaner than coal. That is the cheap alternative that renewable need to compete with. I didn't say be cheaper, just be cheap enough to make it economical.