The flatness you're seeing in the commercial / utility-scale solar curve is from the use of single-axis trackers, not from curtailment. These systems are designed to reach peak output faster and stay there longer throughout the day by tilting the panels to remain perpendicular to the sun, which creates the shoulders that you see. Residential solar has fixed mounting and only reaches its full output for the brief period the sun is perpendicular to the panels.
That said, you are right about the low cost of subsidized solar outcompeting other generation sources in a way that may not be healthy for the overall system.
An accurate analysis of CO2 emissions under this bizarre scheme would almost certainly show increased CO2 emissions. You have to account for the massive fossil fuel requirements to mine the metals, make the cement and fiberglass, and construct wind and solar plants. Then you have to account for the reduced efficiency of the backup power plants. Then there is the problem of toxic solar panel waste. It even gets worse if you use batteries. This is madness indeed.
The sci-fi horror films always show the zombies coming out during the dark (when the sun goes down) but the horror for the electric grid now appears to be when the sun comes out.
This is truly scary and unfortunately self-inflicted folly.
Those making a selection to install rooftop solar need to make the commitment and disconnect from the grid. The solar choice should include whatever storage they need for self sustainable existence. The contracts these people are signing to have power purchased by the local utility are not enough to pay the cost of the solar and they get into them on the hype of making money but ignore the balloon payment for the devices and installation. If we quit the federal government money giveaway we would make the solar industry honest and take away the sleaze sales they carry out to hoodwink people.
Said straightforward - if you want solar then by all means go get it but quit demanding I pay for your folly.
Residential roof top solar is equivalent to the tin man sales of aluminum siding in the 70’s. People are so ignorant to the cost and lured in by the lies of payback. In reality most people don’t repay the loan in full and depending how it was financed it can be catastrophic to them financially. Your idea is awesome. If you want to be free from the grid you are on your own 💯 % on your own dime.
The flatness you're seeing in the commercial / utility-scale solar curve is from the use of single-axis trackers, not from curtailment. These systems are designed to reach peak output faster and stay there longer throughout the day by tilting the panels to remain perpendicular to the sun, which creates the shoulders that you see. Residential solar has fixed mounting and only reaches its full output for the brief period the sun is perpendicular to the panels.
That said, you are right about the low cost of subsidized solar outcompeting other generation sources in a way that may not be healthy for the overall system.
An accurate analysis of CO2 emissions under this bizarre scheme would almost certainly show increased CO2 emissions. You have to account for the massive fossil fuel requirements to mine the metals, make the cement and fiberglass, and construct wind and solar plants. Then you have to account for the reduced efficiency of the backup power plants. Then there is the problem of toxic solar panel waste. It even gets worse if you use batteries. This is madness indeed.
The sci-fi horror films always show the zombies coming out during the dark (when the sun goes down) but the horror for the electric grid now appears to be when the sun comes out.
This is truly scary and unfortunately self-inflicted folly.
Those making a selection to install rooftop solar need to make the commitment and disconnect from the grid. The solar choice should include whatever storage they need for self sustainable existence. The contracts these people are signing to have power purchased by the local utility are not enough to pay the cost of the solar and they get into them on the hype of making money but ignore the balloon payment for the devices and installation. If we quit the federal government money giveaway we would make the solar industry honest and take away the sleaze sales they carry out to hoodwink people.
Said straightforward - if you want solar then by all means go get it but quit demanding I pay for your folly.
Residential roof top solar is equivalent to the tin man sales of aluminum siding in the 70’s. People are so ignorant to the cost and lured in by the lies of payback. In reality most people don’t repay the loan in full and depending how it was financed it can be catastrophic to them financially. Your idea is awesome. If you want to be free from the grid you are on your own 💯 % on your own dime.