By: Omega Centauri

Omega Centauri — Sat, 09 Nov 2013 22:37:00 +0000

I’m not so sure this transfer is in our longerterm interests. I think its very likely that the case for distributed generation is going to become so compelling in the next few years that we will be limited by the local capacity of the grid to balance out power flows. So I’d rather see balanced even growth of DG. This means similar penetration levels for commercial and industrial as for residential (as well as across neighborhoods. These three components are largely on separate local parts of the grid due to districting. When a segment of the grid has as much backflow of power as it was designed to handle forward flows (backward is the local grid exporting power to the grid) its going to run into capacity constraints. For residential this is likely to be at 30-40% of net (averaged over a year) consumption. Maybe even less, if EVs catch on in a big way (and are mainly charged at night). Commercial and light industrial should be amenable to greater levels of penetration, as they usually close for the night. Right now. My impression is that commercial and light industrial PV uptake is lagging. Shouldn’t this be the place we push hardest?

Comments on: Extra Funding Approved For Residential Solar In San Diego

By: Omega Centauri