4 ms·

Solar prices have plummeted, and that use case can skip storage issues (just run when there's power available). Obviously land, labor, and infra cost are not so

Solar prices have plummeted, and that use case can skip storage issues (just run when there's power available). Obviously land, labor, and infra cost are not so simple.

nerdawson 3y ago
If you use solar to generate electricity then the cost of that electricity is whatever you’re missing out on by not selling it to the grid.
- Libcat99 3y ago
  On the other hand, you could have a system that pumps out water or power, depending on current needs and market.
- jes5199 3y ago
  grid-connected solar generation often gets “curtailed” on very sunny days, so it’s market value is $0. On those days, desalinate.
fbdab103 3y ago
As a consumer, falling solar prices have not led to a noticeable decrease in my electrical bill.
- cronix 3y ago
  As a recent convert to solar, we no longer have any electric bill, period.
  - ourmandave 3y ago
    They haven't tried to bill you for "maintaining the grid" cost?
    - markdown 3y ago
      No, but hopefully they do soon, or tax me somehow. Having a grid is important.
- dpierce9 3y ago
  What do you think the price would be without solar? The answer: higher.
  - redeeman 3y ago
    sure, but only because they purposely exclude those that would be cheaper :)
- etimberg 3y ago
  At some point the price of the bill is dominated by the fixed transmission costs which won't go away as long as there is a power grid.
ehnto 3y ago
Desal plants need to be running constantly and incur untennable startup costs otherwise, if I am not mistaken. Perhaps state of the art has fixed that issue.