Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Solar Energy

Cost of solar-generated electricity for residential customers: 34 cents/kwh.

Cost of "conventionally-generated" electricity for residential customers: 8 cents/kwh.

This is from a site that promotes solar energy.

When you go to this site, you will see that they track solar energy costs on a monthly basis and their data goes back to 2000. They no longer publish the cost of "conventionally-generated" electricity; I assume it is because "conventionally-generated" electricity is so inexpensive, and may be getting less expensive relative to the rest of general living expenses (such as health care).

Also, note, that after eight years of promoting solar electricity and significant governmental incentives to promote solar electricity, the cost of solar electricity has not come down much. Solar-generated electricity costs have come down from about 37 cents/kwh to 34 cents vs 8 cents for conventionally-generated electricity.

Los Angeles city council is now voting to raise residential and commercial electric utility rates by as much as 28% to pay for green energy, despite the fact that the cost of natural gas is at historic lows and the US is literally awash in natural gas.

4 comments:

  1. embraceyourinnerhillbillyMarch 31, 2010 at 7:50 PM

    Hi Bruce,

    I suppose these same folks know that nuclear energy is about as Green as they can get. I question nuclear in California due to the earthquake issue(I live in N. CA), but seeing as the USA has the most nuclear power plants (104) operating in the world, we should be embracing this technology first...folks can't afford to pay their mortgages, they sure as heck don't want to pay over 4x for their electricity.

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  2. Thank you for stopping by. I was in a "YouTube Fugue" state-of-mind this evening when I checked the mail and saw you had posted.

    I don't know what to say. Every time we turn around it seems our politicians are doing everything they can to make it tougher on ordinary folks to raise a family and pay their bills.

    If nothing else, folks are going to see what it costs to switch to solar and wind energy. Again, I wish I could be more positive.

    But until then, back to "Cry Me a River," Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Joe Cocker.

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  3. embraceyourinnerhillbillyApril 1, 2010 at 3:24 PM

    Joe Cocker?? You must see this version with lyrics and graphics from Woodstock, fall on the floor funny...
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xJWxPE8G2c

    Here's some more info on Uranium...

    The Wall Street Journal carried this article on uranium that focuses on China’s future requirements and which uranium stocks may benefit from it, a number of Aussie stocks get a mention.

    MELBOURNE, Australia—Surging Chinese demand for uranium looks set to drive a fresh wave of Chinese investment in Australia-listed miners as nuclear power generators seek supply for dozens of planned reactors.

    Chinese state-owned enterprises have been active in Australia’s mining sector for years, largely focusing on iron ore and coal used in steelmaking.

    Now, with an unprecedented nuclear reactor project under way, China is turning its sights to Australian yellowcake stocks. Many miners see the country as a cheap funding source, and analysts expect deals to flow this year.

    China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holdings Corp.’s purchase last year of a controlling stake in Energy Metals Ltd., for $83.6 million Australian dollars, highlighted both China’s interest and the Australian government’s willingness to approve Chinese investment in uranium projects.

    China currently has 11 nuclear reactors in operation with 20 under construction. Another 36 are on the drawing board, and there are proposals for another 157 plants.

    Nuclear-power-generation capacity in China is set to increase sixfold by 2020 to 60 gigawatts with a further increase of up to 160 gigawatts expected by 2030, according to the World Nuclear Association.

    http://www.uranium-stocks.net/uranium-draws-interest-from-china/

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  4. Just got home from "work." This clip put me a great mood; thanks. Joe Cocker is a phenomenon. Not saying what kind of phenomenon, just a phenomenon.

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