[ausev] AusEV Digest, Vol 31, Issue 9

[Joby Wieser]

Eric, PV systems do make sense in remote locations where the energy requirements are relatively low where there are no existing lines.  I see advertisements for solar powered water pumps to replace windmills and know several ranchers who are very happy with them.  Solar powered electric gates are the norm now.    As for that city of Austin cost benefit analysis, let me say that when you are projecting costs 20 years into the future you make a lot of assumptions and wild guesses.   I'm sure they are counting on the panels to reduce peak summer demand to offset new wire capacity.   By assigning high enough costs to adding conventional capacity you can make anything look like it will pay.  Ultimately this was driven by a political desire to do it.  If the payoff is clear, then for profit utilities would be doing it.  It is easy to fudge money around when the utility is owned by the city and is not operated with the goal of providing the lowest
 cost electric service possible.  Utility “Payments in kind” are made to the City’s operating budget in the millions every year. I'm sure you wouldn’t go to each of your neighbors asking them to donate to your Solar project, but when you let the city give you half of the cost for the panels, that is exactly what happens except you don’t have to ask your neighbors for their money because the city forced it out of them.  Not my Idea of “Fairness”.     Again I am not trying to make anybody mad, just trying to get you to think about other aspects of these issues. Joby WieserFredericksburg


      
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