Larry Dighera wrote:
On Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:15:02 GMT, wrote in
:

Larry Dighera wrote:

On average around the world, sunlight delivers a barrel of oil of
energy on every square meter of land every year. At $100 a barrel,
a 100m2 roof is receiving $10,000/yr of energy - a quarter of a
million dollars over 25 years. With photovoltaic systems we can
convert up to 20% of this raw energy directly into electricity.

Electricity has little to nothing to do with oil.


Perhaps not directly, but if the GM Volt* (and hybrid autos) is(are)
successful, the replacement of the current crop of gas guzzling SUVs
with alternatively powered automobiles could eventually impact oil
consumption in the US due, not only to their not using (as much)
petroleum, but also due to their increased efficiency (MPG). Add to
that the use of solar energy to fuel them, thus replacing/reducing the
current requirement for petroleum.

If and eventually are a long way away.

Roughly 40% of US vehicles are over 10 years old; factor that into
the projection of how long it will take before electric cars make
a difference in anything once they actually exist.

This is just apples and oranges arm waving.

You've got to look beyond the obvious to appreciate how solar power
can impact oil consumption. If hybrid automobiles provide higher MPG
ratings, and solar power spins electric meters backwards, I would
anticipate petroleum consumption to be reduced. Don't you agree?

Once again, electricity has little to nothing to do with oil.

Spinning electric meters backwards won't reduce oil consumption.

The other minor problem no one cares to address is that contrary to
what most people think, peak electricity demand is typically after
sundown.


We are both California residents. As I recall, the rolling
blackouts** of the beginning of this century occurred during the day
primarily due to air conditioning loads. Are you able to cite any
statistics that support your assertion that "peak electricity demand
is typically after sundown?" I can see where illumination loads might
increase, but other loads should be significantly reduced at night,
IMO.

Like I said, the reality is contrary to what most people think.

For about 9 months out of the year, peak electric demand occurs at
about 9PM and DST doesn't change that fact.

For about 3 months out of the year, i.e. the hot part, you get two
peaks, one at mid afternoon and another at about 9 PM.

Here's the current demand for California:

http://www.caiso.com/outlook/SystemStatus.html

Here's some historical data:

http://mail.specsol.com/~jimp/caiso.php

When the weather starts hitting around 80, the daytime hump picks
up.

When the weather starts hitting the 90's, the hump gets huge and
the blackouts occur.

This is consistant for all power producers in the first world and not
unique to either California or the United States.

So, how many solar plants can one put up before you have idle plants
for 8 to 9 months out of the year and where do you get power at night?

And once again, electricity has little to nothing to do with oil.


--
Jim Pennino

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