California Has Too Much Solar Power It Needs Another Grid To Share With
This article was originally published on VOX.com on April 8, 2016 and was written by David Roberts. The US has no national electricity grid. Instead, it has a patchwork of grids, operated as closed-off regional and local fiefdoms with little trade among them. One of the most important steps America can take to integrate more wind and solar power is to connect and expand those grids. California is trying to take a small step in that direction. In the process, it is revealing the kinds of political tensions that stand in the way of grid integration.
Cost Uncertainty And Momentum
Apart from declining demand for nuclear power, PG& E’s 2016 report also noted California’s state-wide focus on renewables, like wind and solar.
As the percentage of renewables continues to climb, PG& E reasoned, California will collect most of its energy when the sun shines, flooding the electricity grid with surges of power cyclically. At the times when the electricity grid is being turbocharged by solar power, the constant fixed supply of nuclear energy will actually become a financial handicap.
When California generates so much energy that it maxes out its grid capacity, prices of electricity become negative utilities essentially have to pay other states to take that energy, but are willing to do so because it’s often cheaper than bringing energy plants offline. Although the state is facing well-publicized energy shortages now, that wasn’t the case in 2016.
PG& E also cited the cost to continue operating Diablo, including compliance with environmental laws in the state. For example, the plant was has a system called “once-through cooling,” which uses water from the Pacific Ocean to cool down its reactors. That means it has to pump warmed ocean water back out to the coastal waters near Diablo, which alarms local environmental groups.
Finally, once the wheels are in motion to shut a nuclear plant down, it’s expensive and complicated process to reverse.
Usually, it takes about a decade to bring a nuclear plant offline, Victor told CNBC, although that time is coming down.
Join The Tesla Virtual Power Plant
This page describes the 2021 Virtual Power Plant that is no longer accepting new enrollment. Information about other programs will be available in the Tesla app for customers who are identified as potentially eligible.
This page describes the 2021 Virtual Power Plant that is no longer accepting new enrollment. Information about other programs will be available in the Tesla app for customers who are identified as potentially eligible.
This page describes the 2021 Virtual Power Plant that is no longer accepting new enrollment. Information about other programs will be available in the Tesla app for customers who are identified as potentially eligible.
The California grid operator forecasts a continued need for Californians to support the grid. Help create the largest distributed battery system in the world and avoid dependence on the least efficient fossil fuel power plants. Opt-in to the Tesla Virtual Power Plant , and Tesla will dispatch your Powerwall when the grid needs support while continuing to maintain your energy security.
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California Solar Energy Data
Solar installation is on the way to becoming the energy source of the future in California. This state is the first in the USA by the total capacity of their solar systems. The current capacity is enough to supply more than 1,340,000 California homeowners with renewable energy. Compare this to solar panels in Texas for a better idea of what makes California solar No. 1 in the USA.
Solar installers in this state employ a total of 68,700 people. With over 2,400 companies working in the solar industry, it is also one of the more important driving forces behind the California economy. With the production of over 24% of total electricity in California, it is also a big contributor to the decarbonizing economy.
California can boast with its 284 sunny days per year. This state of sunshine and long summers is the ideal place for anyone who would want to go solar. With anywhere between $12,700 $17,100 for an average 5kW solar system, a California homeowner can reduce at least 80% of their electric usage and save a corresponding amount of money on their electric bills.
In total, a Californian home can expect to save anywhere between $44,700 and $60,500 over a course of 20 years, while any solar energy system is designed to last at least 25 years. This means that rooftop solar panels are a better investment than most other options there are. If you want to go solar in California, look no further since this state is the USA No. 1 for solar development.
Average Cost Of Solar Energy Systems
As the technology progresses, solar costs drop significantly. Currently, the cost to install solar is at its historic minimum. Solar in California has dropped some 36% in price in the past 5 years and around 80% in the past decade. As more advances are made, the technology is set to become even cheaper, especially in the solar battery storage sector.
Currently, a new solar installation owner can expect to pay anywhere between $2.41 to $3.27 per watt of DC power. Solar panels have never been this cheap, so an average 10 kW system would cost on average $28,400. A system this big could easily offset 100% of a large household electricity cost.
If you want to install solar panels, you should see this as a great solar investment, rather than an expenditure. After all, the initial solar cost pays off within 5.5 7.5 years and the period after this is the money back in your pocket. The excess energy produced during the day can be stored in solar battery storage or sent to the grid, which then acts as your solar storage. Many homes can save a lot of money by using net metering, on average between $44,000 and $60,000 over a 20 year period.
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Solar Power In California
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Solar power in California includes utility-scale solar power plants as well as local distributed generation, mostly from rooftop . It has been growing rapidly because of high insolation, community support, declining solar costs, and a Renewable Portfolio Standard which requires that 33% of California‘s electricity come from renewable resources by 2020, and 60% by 2030. Much of this is expected to come from solar power via facilities or concentrated solar power facilities.
In 2019, the Solar Energy Industries Association reported a total of 27,400 MW of solar capacity installed , making up 20% of all electricity produced in the state. In October 2020, California ranked as the highest solar power generating state in the nation, producing enough solar capacity to power 8.4 million homes in the state. In 2020, SEIA estimated that California will increase its solar capacity by over 19,000 MW over the next five years, second behind Texas at 20,000 MW.
Key Players Involved With The Project
Blattner Energy served as construction manager for the solar power project. Its scope of work included managing and coordinating construction works, design and engineering, review of permitting and plans, procurement and delivery of material, and commissioning and start-up operations.
The two-year permitting process was handled by Tetra Tech, a company based in Pasadena. The company prepared supporting documents, coordinated with CEC and BLM, and also managed the environmental construction compliance phase.
ARB Industrial was the contractor responsible for all mechanical and piping works. Their scope of work included erection and alignment of all the pylons, assembly and installation of solar collector elements, fabrication and installation of heat collector tubes, and all underground piping.
Sener manufactured the solar collector assemblies, while Flabeg US Solar was the mirror supplier for the SCAs. Solutia provided the heat-transfer fluid. The project also involved more than 60 subcontractors based in California.
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Solar Panel Energy Production In California
As with any other technology, solar panels California had very humble beginnings. Back in 2001, there were only 543 GW of solar panel energy generated in this state. As the solar companies installed more solar panel system capacity, so did the California solar generation. In 2010, the generation grew to 771 GW per year.
Since then, the prices of solar dropped 80% and solar panel cost per watt became affordable for most homeowners. Home solar boomed and within 5 years, in 2015, the total solar electricity in California reached 14,800 GW per year. The solar incentives that were introduced gave a boost to the solar industry and solar systems started appearing over rooftops across the state.
The home solar system became the new norm in building, and solar panel installation started being seen as a necessity and not a luxury. In 2020, the total solar generation in California was the highest ever, at 30,500 GW of energy. Solar installers still work hard to get new solar panel projects online and meet Californias ambitious green goals.
Californias Renewable Portfolio Standard is somewhat more ambitious than in other states. California vowed to produce 20% of its electricity from renewables by 2010 , 60% by 2030, and 100% by 2045. This is 5 years ahead of many other U.S. states. California wants to see its carbon footprint reduced to 80% lower than it was in 1990.
Net Metering In California
Net metering is a great combination for any home solar system. Under this form of state incentives, you can send your excess energy produced onto the grid which acts as your solar battery. Once the sun is gone and you start spending more electricity than you can produce, you pull the energy back from the grid.
Not all net metering programs are created equal, so here is a list of the best net metering programs in California:
- Southern California Edison,
- Los Angeles Department of Water and Power,
- San Diego Gas & Electric.
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Financing For The Large
Genesis Solar, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, closed $935m of financing for the project in August 2011. The US Department of Energy issued a partial loan guarantee of $852m, comprising $702m in project bonds, and a $150m project term loan facility, under the Financial Institution Partnership Program .
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria provided the remaining $83m letter of credit facility.
California Solar Incentives Rebates And Tax Credits
If you would like to go solar in California, there are a number of solar incentives that you can apply for. Every home solar system is eligible for significant federal and state rebates and programs that can significantly reduce the cost of solar irrelevant of the solar system size. There are several solar financial incentives, rebates, and tax credits that you can apply for on top of the net energy metering program offered in the state:
There are also home solar battery storage incentives and rebates for those who would like to increase their energy independence and prevent future blackouts from posing threat to their comfort. The price of your California solar battery storage can be significantly reduced through:
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Location And Site Details
The site for the facility is a 1,950-acre land managed by the BLM. It is located approximately 25 miles west of Blythe, California, in an undeveloped part of the Sonoran Desert that was previously used for grazing and off-highway vehicle recreation.
McCoy Mountains lies to the east of the facility, while the Palen Mountains are in the north. The dry lakebed of Ford Dry Lake and the Interstate-10 highway lie to the south.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tesla Vpp
How do I enroll in the Tesla Virtual Power Plant?
Step 1: Open the Tesla app, and switch to your home.
Step 2: Tap Customize.
Step 3: Scroll down to Tesla Virtual Power Plant.
Step 4: Tap the switch on, and follow the prompts to enroll.
How do I unenroll in the Tesla Virtual Power Plant?
Step 1: Open the Tesla app, and switch to your home.
Step 2: Tap Customize.
Step 3: Scroll down to Tesla Virtual Power Plant.
Step 4: Tap the switch off to opt-out.
You may tap the switch back on at any time during the program.
What can I expect my Powerwall to do when there is an event?
You will receive push notifications informing you when an event is scheduled and when it begins. Events will be scheduled a few hours prior to discharge, and discharge will typically take place during the grids peak hours in the afternoon.
Tesla will securely command your Powerwall to discharge to the grid up to the maximum power approved by your utility. Most Powerwalls will discharge at levels similar to peak solar production on summer days. Prior to some events, your Powerwall may reduce the power it provides to your home to maximize the amount of energy it can discharge during the upcoming event.
Can I opt-out of dispatches?
How do I ensure that I will have enough energy for backup power?
A push notification will inform you that there will be a VPP event. You can adjust your backup reserve level then or at any time, based on your own risk of outage.
Why is this a beta program?
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Californias 100% Clean Energy Milestone
Energy demand statewide reached 18,672 megawatts at 2:45 pm, with 37,172 MW available. 101% of the power provided came from clean energy, according to a continuous tracker provided by California Independent System Operator , a nonprofit that oversees the operation of the states bulk electric power system, transmission lines, and electricity market generated and transmitted by its member utilities.
CAlifornia busts past 100% on this historic day for clean energy!
Dan Jacobson
Desert Sunnotes that solar dominated the mix:
Two thirds of the 18,000 megawatts needed was provided by solar power loaded into the energy grid or 12,391 megawatts. The rest came from wind, geothermal, and other renewable sources. The milestone lasted almost 15 minutes before edging back down to about 97% renewables.
Environment California state director Laura Deehan said in an emailed statement:
California has shown that, for one brief and shining moment, we could do it! Now we need to get our state running on 100% clean energy for the whole day, the whole week, and the whole year. Its time to move to 100% clean energy, 100% of the time.
California has a mandated clean energy target of 100% clean electricity by 2045.
Interior Department Announces Full Operation Of Palen Solar Project In California
Solar project will power nearly 116,000 homes, lower consumer costs
Contact:
WASHINGTON The Department of the Interior today announced that the Palen Solar Project, a 457-megawatt photovoltaic facility in Riverside County, California, has reached full power operation. The project which will supply enough energy to power approximately 116,000 homes and includes 50 megawatts of battery storage represents another major step forward in the Biden-Harris administrations efforts to lower costs for families and create a clean energy, carbon-free future.
Bringing another solar project to full operation on our public lands will accelerate our nations transition to a clean energy economy by unlocking renewable resources, creating jobs, lowering costs, and boosting local economies, said Secretary Deb Haaland. The Interior Department will continue to advance the sustainable development of clean energy in order to help meet the Biden-Harris administrations goal of 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035.
In June, the BLM reached a conservation milestone through the DRECP with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife by approving the JB Eastern Slope Mitigation project, which will restore 158,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands as part of state-required mitigation for solar development on private lands.
Additional information, including National Environmental Policy Act documents, are available on ePlanning at the Palen Solar Project webpage.
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State Challenges With Solar Power
Energy storage is becoming a more prominent issue because photovoltaic solar panels can only generate electricity during daylight hours and thermal solar installations can only store energy for up to 10 hours, leaving a window in which the state’s energy production must be generated from other sources . To remedy this, different sorts of power storage solutions have been proposed such as batteries, compressed air, and ice generation.
In April 2018, The San Diego Union Tribune reported that Recurrent Energy had proposed a large battery, a 350 MW system, to be installed alongside the proposed Crimson Solar Project. The battery will match the proposed facility’s nameplate capacity, and is several times larger than the 130 MW Hornsdale Power Reserve, the largest lithium battery in existence, which was created by Tesla and is located in South Australia.
Another issue is overproduction which is most common during the summer months. California’s solar production was so vast that by 2017, California had to pay Arizona and other states in the region to accept some of its electricity during peak production hours in order to provide relief to its grid.
