modernhomeowner t1_ium35y8 wrote
Reply to comment by icebeat in Eversource CEO asks Biden to take emergency action on New England natural gas supply by OmarLittleFinger
Solar panels in MA can't meet our energy demand in the winter. We will for a very long time be dependent on Natural Gas. Maybe we get new better technology to supply and use energy, maybe some of these high utility rates encourage people to move south where utility prices, food, and taxes are less. One of the two would need to happen before we stop using Natural Gas.
I personally have the largest solar array on my roof allowed under MA's net meter laws. I have a heat pump for my heating and an EV. Those all run on electricity made by Natural Gas in the winter, and each evening and night all year. My massive solar array, due to our northern location, doesn't even produce enough in the winter for my lights, refrigerator and oven - and the load for my heat pump is about 10 times that, meaning I'd need over 400 solar panels to get me my heat in the winter, plus about $225,000 in home batteries.... Not happening.
bahmutov t1_iums1yc wrote
Wind. You forgot the wind.
icebeat t1_iumyh9p wrote
Yeah wind is another great source of energy and how about WECs?
modernhomeowner t1_iun7yjt wrote
I didn't forget wind, the question posed to me was about solar. Wind helps, but we are currently at a standstill in this state. Between objections to offshore wind, objections to on land wind, windmill supply chain issues and now patent lawsuits around offshore windmills, those are a little further out as a replacement energy.
bahmutov t1_iun9lq8 wrote
We are not at a standstill. The largest offshore wind farm got all its permits and is on track. Everything you listed a local political bumps on the road.
modernhomeowner t1_iunbzm2 wrote
Just yesterday on CNBC they had where I think it was 1600MWh of wind power in MA is on hold.
buried_lede t1_ix1uj3g wrote
The interconnection queue at ISO NE is chock full of wind getting ready to connect and batteries. ISO has to fix its pricing bs though
[deleted] t1_iums8ao wrote
More people should read your post. Too many people thing they are saving the world by slapping ten panels on their garage. We aren’t ready for electric, but it’s a decent start. Natural gas and oil are going to be here for a while.
icebeat t1_iumz8rd wrote
Exactly, there are only a bunch of people installing solar energy and that is the problem. Increase that number of solar and you will see a significant reduction on the energy demand. Of course electric companies don’t want to heard about this.
buried_lede t1_ix1uc2d wrote
In Connecticut, everyone is reporting great results from their solar arrays
[deleted] t1_ix23blf wrote
100% of the electric bill?
buried_lede t1_ix3wrff wrote
Pretty much, yeah. I’m surprised the marginal difference in climate in MA makes such a huge difference. It’s too bad.
If you peruse the CT subreddit, you’ll find lots of people really happy with their solar systems reporting ridiculously low electric bills
Is your result similar to others in MA? If not, maybe have your system tested, maybe something is wrong
buried_lede t1_ix1u7wx wrote
Are you serious? Not even your lights and fridge? Jesus.
modernhomeowner t1_ix1ujhp wrote
My non-heat, non-ev average energy use in December is 354kwh, my 38 solar panels will only produce 283kwh in December.
buried_lede t1_ix3y8nh wrote
Wow, I’m not only not an expert, I don’t own solar panels, but that sounds very low as to output from those panels. Something is wrong - with the panels? With the hours of sunlight per day? With the system set up? Something
modernhomeowner t1_ix3zc0d wrote
There is little sunlight in MA in the winter months, the sun is at a very low angle, reducing panel efficiency and increasing shading due to trees. Summer months I near 2,000kwh.
buried_lede t1_ix41dxa wrote
2000 sounds more like it. That makes more sense. Super, super low winter output though
modernhomeowner t1_ix41v80 wrote
That's normal for MA, you have much much less output in the winter. Add that to heat pumps and EVs that use more electricity in winter, and we have a reverse effect, more use in the winter while producing less.
buried_lede t1_ix4248y wrote
So does net metering there get you pretty much a zero annual bill? In CT people are reporting doing very well so far with the deal
modernhomeowner t1_ix42pw8 wrote
Net metering helps me, it doesn't help the grid reduce costs. I sell my energy for exactly what the grid sells it for, they earn nothing. But the grid still has to make my electricity with fossil fuels in the winter to give it back to me. It still has to have energy on standby for rainy days in summer. It still needs to pay year-round overhead and staffing for powerplants, even when the energy isn't needed like summer days when I make enough for 4 or 5 houses. My having panels is great for me, but bad for my neighbors electric rates.
icebeat t1_iumy7mf wrote
Boston and Barcelona are roughly on the same latitude, same sun hours and yet we don’t have enough sun? Curious
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