3 ms·
That's one thing I've always wondered about solar. If it truly just flows back into the grid, and you don't get access to it during a power outage, surely a cen
by xur17 5y ago
That's one thing I've always wondered about solar. If it truly just flows back into the grid, and you don't get access to it during a power outage, surely a centralized solar energy installation would be a lot more efficient than installing them on everyone's roofs. You end up paying much higher installation and maintenance costs - the only real advantage is that it's a plot of land that's readily available.
- OneEyedRobot 5y agoIt wouldn't surprise me (although I'm not any kind of power engineer) if a world of house-based grid-tied solar wouldn't be a bit of a management nightmare for the power company as opposed to large plants. I expect we get away with it right now due to rarity.
- toomuchtodo 5y agoSouth Australia has so much solar, at times there is zero grid demand. It is a management nightmare for grid operators, but that's what they're getting paid for (instead of generation, which is shifting to direct payment from consumers with solar on their roofs). The future of grids is orchestration between variable demand and variable generation, along with pumped storage, battery storage, and long distance transmission.
- OneEyedRobot 5y agoIf everyone is producing electricity, who pays the bills?
- Abekkus 5y agoSame people who pay for the roads and traffic signals?