[XCSSA] Cheaper solar power heads mainstream

Mon, 28 May 2007 01:30:12 -0500

And the tobacco companies fought the "misguided belief" that smoking
causes cancer... to say that the industrial revolution and all the
pollutants we've forced on the earth are not having adverse effects is
much the same thing - the problem is pollution and industrial
negligence, not global warming.  This sort of thing smacks of red
herring - keep the issue clouded as long as possible so we can continue
doing what we're doing... only more than lungs and individual lives,
based on individual choice, are at stake.  
imo, 
-Kevin 


On Sun, 2007-05-27 at 23:13 -0500, xcssa-admin@xcssa.org wrote:
> Hey Charles.. Here's that article I think I told you about reporting how 
> scientists are starting to challenge the "human causality theory" of global 
> warming.
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/36jyvw
> "Climate Momentum Shifting: Prominent Scientists Reverse Belief in Man-made 
> Global Warming - Now Skeptics
> Growing Number of Scientists Convert to Skeptics After Reviewing New Research
> ...
> Many former believers in catastrophic man-made global warming have recently 
> reversed themselves and are now climate skeptics.  The names included below 
> are just a sampling of the prominent scientists who have spoken out recently 
> to oppose former Vice President Al Gore, the United Nations, and the media 
> driven “consensus” on man-made global warming. 
> ..."
> 
> Tweeks
> 
> On Thursday 24 May 2007 21:29, xcssa-admin@xcssa.org wrote:
> > On May 24, 2007, at 4:29 PM, xcssa-admin@xcssa.org wrote:
> > > I agree 100%.  That's why I said when I build my own -- I won't
> > > tell CPS
> > > (or whoever) about it and just keep it separate.
> > >
> > > But if YOU, go out RIGHT NOW and install PV generation -- what do you
> > > think is going to happen?  Even *IF* you keep it separate -- there is
> > > going to be a drop in demand from CPS.  When Joe Blow's typical
> > > bill is
> > > $150 a month with lows of $90 and highs of $220, and their computer
> > > tells them that now your typical bill is $20 with highs of $40 -- you
> > > don't think SOMETHING is going to happen?  You can bet your sweet
> > > toilet
> > > muscle it will!
> >
> > In my experience, even with up to 7 months of temporary absence, they
> > haven't done this.  There are lots of vacant, abandoned, etc., homes
> > in San Antonio.  Even the police don't bother much with vacant homes,
> > much to neighbors disappointment.  CPS is more limited in what they
> > can do.  But I suppose they could take a look at your roof while
> > reading your meter.
> >
> > In some states, maybe even most, power companies are required by
> > state law to "buy back" electricity generated by renewable means.
> > Quite often these laws require them to buy back (or credit) power at
> > the actual rate paid by the consumer, not at some "wholesale" rate.
> >
> > The technical term for this is "net metering."   Texas has had a net
> > metering law for 10 years.  However, the original law only applies to
> > commercial power utilities, not to municipally owned utilities.
> >
> > Now, apparently there is also a federal "net metering" law, the EPAct
> > of 2005, which also has an opt-out provision for municipal
> > utilities.  They have to "consider" the new rules (which they just
> > did, on May 17) but are not required to adopt them.
> >
> > CPS has been providing net metering services since 1999.  However, as
> > has been said, CPS program only reimburses power returned to the grid
> > at a "replacement cost to generate" rate, not the rate you pay.  BTW,
> > these services are available to anyone with CPS service, if you want
> > them.
> >
> > Very recently, there has been a public hearing on this (May 17,
> > 2007).  Here's a recommendation prepared by CPS staff:
> >
> > http://www.cpsenergy.com/files/customer_comment_and_input/EPAct%20Net%
> > 20Metering-PrelimRec(380706_1).pdf'
> >
> > It looks like they are pushing for the opt-out option.  Here is a
> > page with related documents:
> >
> > http://www.citypublicservice.com/content_listInternet.asp?
> > sect_id=4364&elmt_id=12
> >
> > I have to say I'm very disappointed with CPS in this area.  However,
> > it has to be remembered that they are one of the lowest cost
> > electricity providers in the country.  If you lived in Austin,
> > Houston, or Dallas, you would be paying a lot more for electricity;
> > you can see the comparison on every CPS bill.  That is more important
> > to most people than their net metering rules.  Of course all
> > utilities lose money when reimbursing power at the retail rate, and
> > wouldn't do it if it weren't required by law.  One thing CPS likes to
> > complain about is the cost of building and maintaining the grid is
> > not accounted for in retail priced net metering.  OTOH, you could
> > argue that locally produced energy is likely to be consumed fairly
> > nearby, with less loss over the grid.  State and federal mandates
> > support customer generated renewable power mainly for the goal of
> > increasing renewable electricity generation, and that's your best
> > argument.  We all need to do what we can.
> >
> > If there's something you don't like about CPS, you can contact your
> > city council person, the mayor, etc., since they can cause CPS to
> > change its policy.  "We" own CPS, and our representatives can make or
> > change their rules.  You can also contact state reps, and see about
> > changing the law so that municipal utilities have to provide the same
> > net metering as commercial electricity providers do, and likewise
> > your federal reps.
> >
> > Every Thursday, the City Council is open at 6pm until whenever for
> > public comments.  Get a bunch of friends to go down and complain
> > about CPS net metering policies.  You may want to get "on the
> > speakers list" earlier in the day to be sure you have a chance to speak.
> >
> > Too bad we missed the Public Hearing on May 17.  The next CPS board
> > meeting is on June 25.  There is also a Citizens Advisory committee.
> >
> > Thanks for bringing this up!
> >
> > With local battery storage, it has to be remembered that batteries
> > are only about 50% efficient.  So, for fair comparison, double the
> > CPS "replacement cost" rate, and consider the cost of batteries and
> > battery maintenance.
> >
> > I suspect CPS would like to avoid getting a lot of attention for
> > their stingy net metering rules.  So make a lot of noise.  But it
> > helps to get all the facts too.
> >
> > Charles
> >
> >
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