How much land will PV need to supply our electricity?

[chuckChuck]

It seems that you have suggested the "unworkable" conclusion prematurely

There is a lot of interest in solar pv and wind projects in Sask. and Alberta. Sask Power is asking for proposals. When some of these projects are up and running, we will have some numbers to compare costs and performance.

I keep going back to this point. Why did Brad Wall and Sask Power say we were going to have 50% renewables by 2030? Why is Sask Power even considering wind and solar if it is too expensive and doesn't work?

Why are there so many windmills between Minot and Bismarck?

Common sense would suggest your very negative position about the cost effectiveness of renewables vs fossil energy production is off the mark.

The LCOE shows wind is very competitive. And solar pv is not far behind. And I agree at this point neither can provide baseload and we will need gas or coal for a awhile yet.

In the warmer sunnier parts of the world solar thermal is being installed that allows energy to be stored and used when the sun is not shining. Solar thermal plants are operating in the sw US and Spain. Lots of information about how they operate on the internet.

[sumdumguy]

"When these projects are up and running" - who's money do you think should be used for this experiment?Look at what's happening in Ontario. Furthermore, Sask Power has wasted enough money on this hocus poccus now, waste of taxpayer's money and penalties upon penalties for the taxpayer to suck up. What's wrong with smaller pilot projects? It is amazing how people can get bamboozled - politicians too.

[oneoff]

Always seem to agree a lot with notsodumguy.

[oneoff]

And just because somebody sees a need for a set of wheels doesn't mean it has to be reinvented again.

There's probably a neighbor within travelling distance, of anyone, who may have put up or taken down a brand new maybe 30 or 50Kw wind generator. Maybe that neighbor may have put in a substantial solar array panel in place of the windmill..

Seems like the experimental results should be worth it's weight in gold to a government (or any individual or group) contemplating or advocating similar projects on a much grander scale. Those are the early adopters and innovators who should be stroked the right way and if not supported in limited ways; then at least not be hindered with fears that detractors are out to shut they down.

There are other ideas floating around and being put into small scale experiments that use formerly vented casing gas; or flax straw burners; biomass converters etc under real temperate climate conditions on the prairies; that no one even seems to care about enough to ask "whats up". Some would say they "Sure are lucky".

But lots of advertising literature; and drawing board projects touted to revolutionize energy production is being hyped by those manufacturers and producers who aren't keen to divulge the inadequacies of their product. Just put down a $1500 deposit. The hype and selling continues...and now prematurely shutting down what we still depend upon.

[newguy]

We have a solar fencer, The horses were without an energizer with power since October 11.


Now, every morning the panel is covered with frost, and snow from flurries that fall overnight.


End result, I bought my wifey the adapter for plugging it into mains power.


If there was enough sun power in the northern hemisphere in winter to heat homes with solar then we wouldn't be in winter and have snow to start with.


Energy is energy....

All solar fencers are not made equal.Had no problem with my 2.Solar has come a long way and with more use can get better yet.

[jethro456]

There is a solar project proposed to go up next year near me. It will cover 900 acres of some of the most productive land in the area.

I'm not sure how covering up good farmland with concrete, metal, glass, and plastic is good for the environment, but what do I know.

[blackpowder]

#justnothungryenough

[WiltonRanch]

I have a 30 joule fencer powered with 4 deep cycle batteries and a large pv cell. Not a cheap panel by any means. The fencer is set at 5 joules output unless something contacts then it spikes. Anyway, when there is sun and no ice it's marvellous but November that pv ices up or there's not enough solar radiation pushing through the clouds. The notion of green power is elegant but at this time the efficiency of such tech has a long way to go. I think mandating a phase out of coal by 2030 is too soon. Honestly I think Saskatchewan's plan for 50% renewables by 2030 is more realistic though still pie in the sky. Ultimately more dams should be built or nuclear reactors. But if our economy is run into the ground power demand will be such that no more excess is needed.

[oneoff]

You get same arguments against nuclear and dams and pipelines and development of all sorts. Their problems are ignored and simultaneously conventional is run into the ground by people who no longer could survive on their own.

Depending on subsidies and transferring wealth from that which has sustained our standard of living (before it is anywhere ready to replace the old)....is foolhardy and dangerous.

Trump will factor in this evolving Canadian story.

[may-be]

You get same arguments against nuclear and dams and pipelines and development of all sorts. Their problems are ignored and simultaneously conventional is run into the ground by people who no longer could survive on their own.

Depending on subsidies and transferring wealth from that which has sustained our standard of living (before it is anywhere ready to replace the old)....is foolhardy and dangerous.

Trump will factor in this evolving Canadian story.

I could not agree more... It's like some people are wearing blinders.

[chuckChuck]

Many Canadian industries get tax breaks, grants and subsidies including agriculture. Some industries would not be here or would be much smaller without government support and policies designed to support them. So when you talk about transfer of wealth from tax payers, include yourself in the list of recipients.

[ColevilleH2S]

Solar is awesome where peak loads coincide with peak sun. But in Canada peak loads happen in the dead of winter. In my neck of the woods, usable solar in December is 1/9th what it is in July. Just 11%. Does this make for a stable grid?