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You get a larger market share of the total energy consumption/payments to be during the day. E.g. because solar is cheaper, I shift my usage so that all of my e

You get a larger market share of the total energy consumption/payments to be during the day. E.g. because solar is cheaper, I shift my usage so that all of my energy costs are during the day, and if a majority of people do that, there will be enough money to keep the businesses afloat.

AnthonyMouse 3y ago
"Lose money on every kWh but make it up on volume" doesn't actually work. The most electricity should cost at night is approximately what it does now, because you can get that from nuclear or hydro, and why wouldn't you unless you have an alternative that costs less than that? The lowest sustainable daytime price has to pay for the panels, the labor to install them, the land, maintenance, loan interest etc. And a significant part of the consumer price for all sources is the distribution grid. The price difference is not going to be a factor of 100, and you'd be lucky to get a factor of 2 and still be able to pay back your costs, no matter how cheap the panels themselves get.
- ben_w 3y ago
  > The price difference is not going to be a factor of 100, and you'd be lucky to get a factor of 2 and still be able to pay back your costs, no matter how cheap the panels themselves get. Perhaps not x100, but likely more than you think too, as european domestic PV installation costs were significantly lower than US installation costs last time I compared them. I'm not sure what installation costs are now, but here in Germany several local supermarkets are selling PV systems you can install yourself on your apartment balcony for €199: https://www.archyde.com/the-lidl-parkside-solar-panel-review-affordable-and-impressive-performance/ https://www.archyde.com/the-lidl-parkside-solar-panel-review... I've seen other things like this with batteries for a similar price, though I can't remember the brand or exact specs.

AnthonyMouse 3y ago

"Lose money on every kWh but make it up on volume" doesn't actually work. The most electricity should cost at night is approximately what it does now, because you can get that from nuclear or hydro, and why wouldn't you unless you have an alternative that costs less than that? The lowest sustainable daytime price has to pay for the panels, the labor to install them, the land, maintenance, loan interest etc. And a significant part of the consumer price for all sources is the distribution grid. The price difference is not going to be a factor of 100, and you'd be lucky to get a factor of 2 and still be able to pay back your costs, no matter how cheap the panels themselves get.

ben_w 3y ago
> The price difference is not going to be a factor of 100, and you'd be lucky to get a factor of 2 and still be able to pay back your costs, no matter how cheap the panels themselves get. Perhaps not x100, but likely more than you think too, as european domestic PV installation costs were significantly lower than US installation costs last time I compared them. I'm not sure what installation costs are now, but here in Germany several local supermarkets are selling PV systems you can install yourself on your apartment balcony for €199: https://www.archyde.com/the-lidl-parkside-solar-panel-review-affordable-and-impressive-performance/ https://www.archyde.com/the-lidl-parkside-solar-panel-review... I've seen other things like this with batteries for a similar price, though I can't remember the brand or exact specs.