Harnessing Arizona's solar power

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Corinne Purtill

The Arizona Republic

Arizona's relentless sunshine has enough energy to power the entire country.

Yet solar supplies less than half of 1 percent of the state's power.

That's about to change.

After years of watching on the sidelines as cloudier states moved aggressively on renewable energy, Arizona is poised to expand its use of solar power dramatically in the next several years.

A plan from the Arizona Corporation Commission, the state's regulator of public utilities, will raise Arizona's use of renewable energy to 15 percent by 2025. Almost 5 percent of the state's energy by that year must come from individual solar projects like rooftop panels.

Little by little, Arizona will have to loosen its dependency on traditional fuel sources such as gas and coal. But there are major roadblocks on the path to a solar-powered Arizona.

Solar energy remains far more expensive than traditional sources of power. The infrastructure needed to turn solar energy into electricity costs a lot more, utility officials say.

Home solar panels result in lower monthly bills but require a sizable upfront investment that takes years to recoup.

And while homeowners express interest in sustainable living, most are still unwilling to commit with their wallets.

"I think there are still some radical breakthroughs that need to happen before it really takes off," said Jonathan Fink, who has been working to encourage solar development since taking over Arizona State University's sustainability program.

It's unlikely the state will ever run entirely on solar energy, officials say.

But roof by roof, Arizona must put the sun to work in order to meet its energy goals.

"It's been a long time coming, but we finally are getting there," Arizona Corporation Commissioner Kris Mayes said.

...

From Department of Energy officials to greenies to energy wonks at the utilities, most agree that solar power is Arizona's best renewable-energy option.

Capturing the sun's energy on a piece of land the size of Lake Powell could take care of all of Arizona's power needs, according to the Department of Energy. The whole state gets enough solar energy to power the country, the agency says.

"It's just a prime place for solar. It's the best (in) the United States, there's no doubt," said Larry Kazmerski, director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo.

Utilities and power companies already have some small solar plants that feed into the grid. The new renewable-energy goals mean that more are likely on the way.

...

The panels blend in with the gray-shingled roof. Arrows on a digital meter outside indicate whether the system is using power from the grid or selling surplus electricity back to the utility. A separate meter in the garage keeps a tally of the amount of greenhouse gases they've saved by generating their own power: 8,466 pounds as of July 2. Their APS bill was $32 the first month, down from a norm of $75 to $80. But the Krumps, who have two young sons, said the environmental benefits were more attractive than the economics.

...

A home solar system can cost a homeowner more than $30,000 out of pocket after rebates - an investment not all homeowners are able or willing to make.

In addition, the technology needed to store solar power produced during the day for later use is lagging. Solar energy is produced only when the sun is shining, so systems can't be completely independent from the grid.

...

Some have been scared off by restrictive homeowners association policies that limit residents' ability to install solar. Gov. Janet Napolitano signed a bill last week that prevents HOAs from blocking the installation of solar panels.

....

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0708solar0708.html#

What will solar power cost?

Home solar panel systems vary from about $14,000 to $65,000, depending on the system's size. After utility, state and federal rebates and tax credits are factored in, consumers end up paying anywhere from about $6,000 to $31,000.

Homeowners can recoup those costs in monthly energy savings and improved resale value. A study by ICF Consulting, which specializes in energy and the environment, found that a home's resale value went up $10 to $25 for every $1 in annual energy savings, according to reports earlier this month.

[peejay 327]

It is probably a good option if the economics are sound. There is no shortage of sun in south TX, but probably not near that of AZ. There are too many tall trees in my inner city neighborhood that would block the sun part of the day. Also, my home is almost 50 years old and I would be hesitant to add something that may take years to pay out (if at all). There seems to be a trend in older neighborhoods near ours to tear down old blue-collar inner city bungalows such as mine and replace them with Yuppie McMansions (or as my wife calls them "palaces"). So I don't think my house would be a good candidate for solar power.

[Jamie76 0]

What we need is improvements in the efficiency of the solar cells. There have been improvements but they seem to come slowly. I think once we begin seeing increased efficiency, solar power could be feasible even in areas that don't get as much sun.

I'm in southern AZ now and it seems the sun never stops shining. Good for solar, but wow is it hot.

[peejay 327]

Solar panels have been in use for decades on the Gulf of Mexico to keep DC batteries for navigational aids for buoys, unmanned petroleum production platforms, etc. Charging DC batteries and powering up the AC grid are entirely different animals. Like comparing ducks to an elephant.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Use low-power computers that runs on like a 100 watt power supply. I am still using a computer that is 12 years old. How did I manage to use it that long? GO LINUX!

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

In related news, solar stocks went through the roof today!

Phoenix's own First Solar up 24% - all the chinese solars I have been tracking are up double digits.

I think you are on to something