As a small enterprise proprietor who has designed and constructed photo voltaic electrical and storage methods all through the Roaring Fork Valley and the Western Slope for over 30 years, I really feel compelled to answer Commentary from D. Dowd Muska on Thursday, December fifteenth.
Mr. Muska acknowledged that “photo voltaic is a bust,” particularly within the Southwest. He admits that photo voltaic contributes a really small proportion of utility-scale energy however fails to say “distributed” era…that’s, many smaller-than-utility-scale methods that ” distributed” all through the Southwest and america.. His sources additionally declare that the depth of daylight is low whereas the monetary incentives are excessive … in his thoughts, a lose-lose proposition.
That is all very complicated.
First, photo voltaic is much from a bust. Simply ask Amazon, Google, Walmart and the biggest purchaser of photo voltaic know-how in america, the US army. As for the weak mild depth, he could be referring to the smog issue of metro Phoenix, Salt Lake or Los Angeles. And the place does the smoke come from? As for incentives, do not get me began on the oil and gasoline subsidies paid for many years which have reaped billions in income for the trade.
Mr. Muska additional states that “photo voltaic is inefficient, unreliable, and – when all prices are thought-about – costly.”
I might argue that if all the prices are thought-about within the exploration, mining, extraction, transportation, processing, distribution, burning, cleanup and fixing the long-term well being points related to fossil fuels… that value extra.
I feel we are able to all agree that there is no such thing as a silver bullet, however analysis proper right here in Colorado advancing photo voltaic know-how, mixed with economies of scale, is bringing photo voltaic vitality to the forefront. The result’s and can proceed to be clear, inexpensive, renewable vitality manufacturing from the sky above. Considered one of our favourite observations is: Ever seen a photo voltaic vitality spill?
Scott Ely
Carbondale
