Solar Usage Shattering Records in California as New Capacity Comes On-Line

[bananas]

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Solar-Usage-Shattering-Records-in-California-As-New-Capacity-Comes-Online

Solar Usage Shattering Records in California as New Capacity Comes On-Line

Herman K. Trabish
March 19, 2014

California is setting records for solar energy usage so fast that the state’s grid operator has had to change its protocol for announcing them.

The instantaneous use of solar by the California Independent System Operator (the ISO) reached a record peak of 4,143 megawatts at 2:28 p.m. on March 16. It was enough electricity to power over 3 million homes, according to the ISO.

The new record supplanted preceding records set on March 8, 14, and 15. It is primarily the result of new capacity coming on-line, according to California ISO Senior Public Information Officer Steven Greenlee. That includes BrightSource Energy’s 392-megawatt Ivanpah CSP project, as well as the 1,900-plus megawatts of new utility-scale PV GTM Research’s 2013 U.S. Solar Market Insight report noted was installed by the state in 2013.

New records are coming so quickly California’s grid operator has decided to change its policy on announcements, Greenlee said. The ISO will now only announce 500-megawatt advances of the record instead of announcing 50-megawatt increments.

The record-breaking 4,143-megawatt instantaneous solar peak March 16 was almost twice the 2,071 megawatts that set the record just nine months ago, on June 7, 2013.

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[greatlaurel]

1. Good

Thanks for posting. Here in the Midwest, which is run by fossil fuel corps, we hear very little in the news media about the growth of the renewable energy sector.

[msongs]

2. you probably have hail s torms that are too damaging for solar cells tho nt

[newfie11]

3. We do have large hail in the SD Black Hills

That's why we have a steel roof. We have thought about a windmill but where we live there's very little wind due to hills blocking it.
Of course this state does not give anything back for solar or wind.
Go figure.

[modrepub]

5. Is it because of the oil development in the Dakotas?

Can't imagine the oil companies want much competition from alternative energy.

[newfie11]

6. Probably, this is a repug state for the most part.

There are wind farms towards the middle/eastern part of the state.

[packman]

4. Late Breaking News------

California suffers from massive sun spills. Officials are puzzled by the absence of physical damage and clean-up efforts. Residents, paradoxically, seem to enjoy the effects of the spill as they go outdoors to breathe clean air .

[JayhawkSD]

7. SDG&E seeking price changes due to solar

San Diego Gas & Electric currently has a graduated price structure where the firat usage is less per Kwh than greater usage, meaning that people who use less electricity get a break on the price. Home solar installations have put such a dent in their sales, however that they are seeking to change the structure to charge higher rates to small users. Needless to say, the plan is not meeting with popular support, but that may or may not sway the Public Utilities Commission, which is all out of kilter due to the closing of San Onofre noclear station. The PUC at this point doesn't know whether to shit or go blind.