California’s Grid Sets Two New Solar Energy Records in Two Days

[jpak]

http://cleantechnica.com/2014/03/13/californias-grid-sets-two-new-solar-energy-records-in-two-days/

America’s solar energy leader is at it once again – California set two new records for solar power supply across the state grid over the span of two days last week.

Solar energy provided a record 3.9 gigawatts (GW) of electricity on March 7th, then bested that mark with 4.1GW on March 8th, according to the California ISO – enough to power about 3 million homes or 18% of overall power demand.

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California’s new solar records don’t come as much of a surprise, considering the wide margin by which it leads all states in installed solar capacity. As of the end of 2013, the Golden State was shining strong with nearly 5.7GW installed solar energy, more than three times the capacity of Arizona’s 1.8GW, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

The other unsurprising takeaway from California’s solar surge is the grid’s ability to integrate an ever-larger amount of renewable energy without reliability concerns, a reality most recently outlined last week when America’s largest grid operator forecast it could integrate up to 30% renewable energy without reliability concerns.

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[itsrobert]

1. you are welcome

set another personal record yesterday at 41.6 KWH Had system since October 3. More personal records to come

[jpak]

2. Good for you!

[OnlinePoker]

6. I'm curious

How much did your system cost, what its rating is, and how long do you expect it will take to pay it off? Also, are you allowed to sell excess power back to the utilities?

[itsrobert]

7. cost

$23,500 - 30 percent federal tax incentive 7050 = $16,450. It's a 7.2KW system. 25 year warranty. I think about 6 years to get my investment back. It is on net meeting, all power goes into the grid. The total is tallied for 12 months, if the solar made more power than we use, we get paid at the lowest tiered rate. If we used more than the system made, we pay at that time. II However the biggest benefit is supplementing our power so we stay in the lowest tier rate which is about 15 cents a watt. The highest tier rate is 37 cents per watt.

[Iwasthere]

3. But but but not as efficient as nuclear and panels don't last forever and and and

Keep it up California.

[Vincardog]

4. Do you really want to promote the most expensive dangerous form of energy?

[flying rabbit]

5. My sarcasm meter was pegged on that one

Get yours checked.