The State's Largest Solar array

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by wifi

Not to throw a damper, but bring some reality is a few facts, which I suspect will be instantly argued with, but none the less.

I will make the logical assumption that this will not include batteries, so this is a solar "assistance" to power generation during sunny daytime, otherwise we would need to include the cost of batteries. We can argue this later, if one wants to, but batteries have a low lifetime relative to the solar cells...

Solar cells have a lifetime of 20-30 years, estimates, because few of the modern day cells have been around that long. So, lets take the expanded guess of 30 years, that means every 30 years all the $5M cells will need to be replaced. Anyone want to guess the economy here ? It is great if the government will pay for it (cheers from the liberals today), but lets think of what this really means, feel good ?

Actually, you didn't include facts, you simply estimated the cost of the panels, then suggested it was high. You didn't tell us how high, or compare it to other sources.

Solar may be a bit more expensive than gas today if we think only of our monthly electric bill. But there are plenty of benefits to solar that are also separate from our monthly bills--cleaner air, cleaner water, a cooler planet--just to name a few. Plus, thanks to economies of scale, every new solar installation brings future solar panel costs down further.

Three cheers for NHEC!

[wifi]

hmmm... I appreciate your emotional response, as is so overruling today, but where are your facts, if you are going to attack mine ?

[fatlazyless]

With all the additional property tax revenue generated by this new solar farm, the Town of Moultonborough could take a second look at building a 9-million dollar indoor, year 'round, heated and air conditioned gym-pool-tennis facility ..... and name it Club Moultonborough.

[NH.Solar]

WiFi,
I can't remember the last time I sold a solar module with less than an "80% of original production" warranty period of 25 years. This is the current standard, not the exception. The solar panels (aka modules) that I choose to sell are all made by well vetted companies (LG, SolarWorld, Canadian Solar, Prism, Hanwha) that produce their products either domestically or in the countries of one of our well trusted allies. In general the industry assumption is that a solar array will still be producing a bulk of it's original rated power for 40+ years. Investing in solar power is a solid investment for both the individual and businesses alike and the move by the Co-op would seem to re-enforce that.
A few more sundry facts, much of the power for Interlakes High in Meredith comes from a solar array at the north side of the track behind the school, the municipal buildings for the Town of Durham are powered by a 2,100 module array they own in a gravel pit in Lee, and the Town of Hanover has committed to a goal of 100% of their energy coming from renewable sources by 2030. These are facts and/or achievable goals. Renewable energy, and solar power in particular, has recently come into it's own and is a viable and economical alternative to just pulling from the grid. One more tidbit, employment in NH due to the solar related industries grew 17 fold last year. I wonder how many lakes region folks will be making a living on Moultonboro Neck Rd :-)
I am a Co-op customer and happy to be one. The monthly membership fee of $29 seems a little stiff, but in every other way they seem to be progressive and forward thinking. Again I applaud them for their decision and commitment to locally produced renewable energy.
For those that are interested here is a link to the NHEC press release concerning the Moultonboro project; https://www.nhec.com/nhec-breaks-gro...t-solar-array/ and here is a link to the warranty for the Washington State manufactured SolarWorld modules; https://www.google.com/search?q=sola...hrome&ie=UTF-8
Cheers!

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by PeterG

Actually, you didn't include facts, you simply estimated the cost of the panels, then suggested it was high. You didn't tell us how high, or compare it to other sources.

Solar may be a bit more expensive than gas today if we think only of our monthly electric bill. But there are plenty of benefits to solar that are also separate from our monthly bills--cleaner air, cleaner water, a cooler planet--just to name a few. Plus, thanks to economies of scale, every new solar installation brings future solar panel costs down further.

Three cheers for NHEC!

Solar panel farms are not exactly aesthetically appealing.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Solar panel farms are not exactly aesthetically appealing.

I agree--I would much rather see an open field than a solar farm. (Also, I appreciate that you focus on a fair, reasonably objective point.)

But on the other hand, I think solar panels on many homes look just as good as asphalt shingles, and solar panels on flat roof commercial buildings look much better than most of the things they replace.

Plus, all these solar installations displace distant oil rigs and coal mines, and improve local air and water quality.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Biggd

Solar panel farms are not exactly aesthetically appealing.

I think they look a lot nicer than smoke stacks and high voltage power lines. They are certainly no less attractive than a parking lot. Personally, I think it would be awesome if they were used to shade and shelter every parking lot that exists today. The land is already cleared, already ugly; and who would not appreciate the shade in the Summer and the rain and snow shelter during storms? I bet the pavement would last much longer in the shade too.