by greeney2 » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:49 pm
Wind and solar power are both wonderful but dependent on those natural things to function. Basically both are converting some sort of energy wind or heat, into electricity. We have both in California but both are a very small part of our electrical power grid. geothermal is also part of the grid but even a smaller amount. We are about 95% hydroelectric or nuclear.
Where we do have wind and solar plants( many homes have solar panels on their houses) their big disadvantage after an available resource, is the footprint they require. I was part of building the solar plant located in Barstow (actually Dagget, California) but the mirror field is quite large. The footprint for the wind generators is very large, and requires many many square miles of area, for a large field of them. The Palm Springs generators extend along the road, many miles, and stretch out into the adjoinging foothills. Some say they are a total eyesore, others think they are a beautiful site. I have mixed emotions, being very mesmerized when you pass them, I see a mechanical beauty and wonder to them, but I also am a great lover of the desert, and they do make a visual blight on the natural landscape. Towers are very large, and they can be turned to not rotate or to rotate more with demands of power. Most wind plants are in areas notorious for very high winds. When you drive past them, it is very hypnotizing, and really is a distraction from driving. Our state is rich in mountains with no shortage of streams and snow runoff, so hydroelectric is our system of choice. The Colorado River provides power to most of the south western corner of the country.
Solar and wind are both not very cost effective yet. I am not sold on the investment on my personal home that solar is worth the spending, in terms of gilding me enough savings to be worth the money. I think most of the home solar programs are a scam, for a tax deduction. Without the tax break, nobody would spend the money on it.