🚀 go-pugleaf

On 9/03/2013 8:59 AM, jimp@specsol.spam.sux.com wrote:
> In sci.physics jg <jg@nospam.com> wrote:
>> On 9/03/2013 7:17 AM, jimp@specsol.spam.sux.com wrote:
>>> In sci.physics jg <jg@nospam.com> wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>>>> Yes it's a problem, as all methods of generation have problems.
>>>>
>>>> But not a big enough problem that solar isn't still a very useful tool
>>>> in producing electricity.
>>>>
>>>> Typically a house produces 1kWh for 6 hours, when no one is home it goes
>>>> to the main user - industry, which operates mainly at those same hours.
>>>
>>> Peak electrical demand occurs in the late afternoon and doesn't go
>>> away until well after sunset.
>>>
>>> The main users are households and lighting in general.
>>>
>>> Here is an example for California:
>>>
>>> http://www.caiso.com/SystemStatus.html
>>>
>>> This is typical no matter what the area.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> The highest peak demand happens at night, for about 4 hours.
>>
>> The system has to provide 3/4 of that demand for about another 12 hours
>> in daylight, then much less for the remaining 8 hours.
>
> That ratio is highly seasonly dependant.
>

Oh, a minute ago it was typical no matter what area.


> In the summer the evening/night demand goes way up with everyone turning
> on the house A/C and stays up until close to midnight.
>

And in cold places it goes way up in winter for central heating.
So I should throw away my solar panels because they don't address peak 
demand?


>> Would if solar panels could cover all demand and better if it was at
>> peak, but they do contribute for 6 hours if not at the highest demanding
>> 4 hours of day.
>
> The problem is solar contributes nothing useful during the peak demand.
>

That would be a problem at peak demand, for about 4 hours a day.
Perhaps you can think of a way to address that, without burning more coal.


> Now if solar were really extremely cheap compared to gas, then it might
> be worth something to run it during the day and turn off the gas
> generators, but solar is not cheaper than gas by a long shot.
>

Cheap was never the prime motivation for renewable energy, but with the 
price of fossil energy increasing the economics look better all the 
time. Especially if you are an exporter or importer of fuel.


>> Solar water heaters for instance do a better job of that.
>
> Water heating is a trivial electricity consumer.
>

About 1/4 of household energy use, and mostly at times when solar cells 
don't operate.


>> They are only part of the answer, but fossil fuels are the question.
>
> That makes no sense what so ever.
>
>
>
Not to anyone who thinks fossil fuel use is just fine as it is.