[SK: CA does have a zero-carbon energy (= solar roof) rule for all new building by 2020 – but solar thermal “mega projects” are cheaper than PV one-offs, and cheaper than (so far non-existent) clean coal. Nat gas plants of the same size here do get approved here at a good clip, unfortunately, as solar thermal is cheaper counting fuel costs and ghg health costs over 25 years, and use one tenth as much water as gas]

[SK: CA does have a zero-carbon energy (= solar roof) rule for all new building by 2020 – but solar thermal “mega projects” are cheaper than PV one-offs, and cheaper than (so far non-existent) clean coal. Nat gas plants of the same size here do get approved here at a good clip, unfortunately, as solar thermal is cheaper counting fuel costs and ghg health costs over 25 years, and use one tenth as much water as gas]

To follow on to Charles’ comment, the difference between contracted capacity and actual delivered electricity is an important distinction that people often don’t want to acknowledge.

None of the policymakers or regulators I’ve talked to believe that the 2013 goal will be met because the necessary transmission lines won’t be ready.

The CPUC acknowledges that new transmission takes a minimum of about 10 years to get online (in the *best* case). And their recent report on the 33% RPS by 2020 goal states that we are unlikely to reach that also because California ratepayers would need to make a highly risky $11 Billion bet on new transmission.

All these reasons are why we need to look at wholesale distributed generation (WDG) to have any real hope of meeting the RPS goals. With a well-designed feed-in-tariff policy, California can achieve 33% by 2020 while *saving* ratepayers money.

For more info: http://www.fitcoalition.com

To follow on to Charles’ comment, the difference between contracted capacity and actual delivered electricity is an important distinction that people often don’t want to acknowledge.

None of the policymakers or regulators I’ve talked to believe that the 2013 goal will be met because the necessary transmission lines won’t be ready.

The CPUC acknowledges that new transmission takes a minimum of about 10 years to get online (in the *best* case). And their recent report on the 33% RPS by 2020 goal states that we are unlikely to reach that also because California ratepayers would need to make a highly risky $11 Billion bet on new transmission.

All these reasons are why we need to look at wholesale distributed generation (WDG) to have any real hope of meeting the RPS goals. With a well-designed feed-in-tariff policy, California can achieve 33% by 2020 while *saving* ratepayers money.

For more info: http://www.fitcoalition.com

Also, the addition of all that intermittent renewable power from wind and solar PV will cause some significant strains on the grid that could also delay implementation. Storage will be needed, discussed at page 10, and we are only now starting to get serious about that – more information at my website, http://www.Utility-Savings.com.

Also, the addition of all that intermittent renewable power from wind and solar PV will cause some significant strains on the grid that could also delay implementation. Storage will be needed, discussed at page 10, and we are only now starting to get serious about that – more information at my website, http://www.Utility-Savings.com.