Quote:
Originally Posted by old guy
Had to do an airport run tonight and along the way is a solar farm, all of the panels were covered with snow for as far as the eye could see  and that was before tonight’s storm had even started  |
The problem with solar. The sun has to shine in it. If 1/8 of the panel is covered. You lose 50% of the output of that panel. If 50% is covered. You get maybe get 10 to 15% output. Leaves, snow, dust, bird chit, or anything else blown on to the panel will cause problems. Renewable power depends on nature. Nature is not dependable. Wind turbines operate within a narrow range of wind speeds. Something like 6 to 23 mph. Too slow. Won't make enough power. Too much speed, and they come apart. If you do the math. At around 25 mph. The tip speed of a 90ft long blade is close to the speed of sound. In high winds. They lock the blades to keep from spinning, and turn them to neutral position.
Renewable power also get tax subsidies. They operate at a lose. The subsidies make up the difference. If you eliminate the subsidies. They would all go under within a month. Their cost of MegaWatt is just to high compared to natural gas.