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It's a trust issue. People don't trust their utilities, residential solar is (among other things) a hedge. Basically, "how much would you pay to limit how much

It's a trust issue. People don't trust their utilities, residential solar is (among other things) a hedge. Basically, "how much would you pay to limit how much $powerco can screw you in future?". Human nature means a lot of people will willingly pay double for that.

elzbardico 3y ago
Most people have grid-tie systems. If the power is out, they are down too. Only very rich people have money to buy battery storage enough to be off grid and then this kind of system is not what those companies usually lease. If you’re concerned about blackouts a gas natural generator makes a lot more sense economically speaking
- xyzzy123 3y ago
  This is factually true but my claim is that what motivates people is a desire for greater energy security (EDIT: where improved price stability is one aspect of that, as konschubert points out).
  - konschubert 3y ago
    It also means you're less affected by rising prices. (Not that I expect rising prices, but others do)
robin_reala 3y ago
“People don't trust their utilities” is a strong claim that I assume is very dependent on your location. I think I’ve had maybe two hours total of no electricity in the last five years?
- xyzzy123 3y ago
  Yeah I admit this is pretty situational - the U.S. I don't know much about - but NZ, Australia and most of Europe, consumer sentiment is that we are getting slugged - I don't have a survey to hand but I'm confident I could dig something up (EDIT: e.g: https://www.energymagazine.com.au/energy-survey-reveals-rising-consumer-concerns/ https://www.energymagazine.com.au/energy-survey-reveals-risi...) In the last 5 years, has your kwh price increased? By more or less than inflation? If utility scale solar takes off, do you expect that future prices will reflect a) capital and operating costs plus a fair margin or b) whatever the market will bear?
  - robin_reala 3y ago
    Ah, right, in terms of cost; I was assuming availability. Personally I’m on variable rate electricity so it’s difficult to tell overall how much its climbing. But my feeling is that in my area the previous two winters were extremely high, but that this winter has been cheaper. A lot of that is down to missing infrastructure and political structures though.

elzbardico 3y ago

Most people have grid-tie systems. If the power is out, they are down too. Only very rich people have money to buy battery storage enough to be off grid and then this kind of system is not what those companies usually lease. If you’re concerned about blackouts a gas natural generator makes a lot more sense economically speaking

xyzzy123 3y ago
This is factually true but my claim is that what motivates people is a desire for greater energy security (EDIT: where improved price stability is one aspect of that, as konschubert points out).
- konschubert 3y ago
  It also means you're less affected by rising prices. (Not that I expect rising prices, but others do)

robin_reala 3y ago

“People don't trust their utilities” is a strong claim that I assume is very dependent on your location. I think I’ve had maybe two hours total of no electricity in the last five years?

xyzzy123 3y ago
Yeah I admit this is pretty situational - the U.S. I don't know much about - but NZ, Australia and most of Europe, consumer sentiment is that we are getting slugged - I don't have a survey to hand but I'm confident I could dig something up (EDIT: e.g: https://www.energymagazine.com.au/energy-survey-reveals-rising-consumer-concerns/ https://www.energymagazine.com.au/energy-survey-reveals-risi...) In the last 5 years, has your kwh price increased? By more or less than inflation? If utility scale solar takes off, do you expect that future prices will reflect a) capital and operating costs plus a fair margin or b) whatever the market will bear?
- robin_reala 3y ago
  Ah, right, in terms of cost; I was assuming availability. Personally I’m on variable rate electricity so it’s difficult to tell overall how much its climbing. But my feeling is that in my area the previous two winters were extremely high, but that this winter has been cheaper. A lot of that is down to missing infrastructure and political structures though.