Advocates urge PNM to expand incentives for solar

Nice idea, but is it realistic? The economy is in shambles, folks are strapped for cash and incentive or not it's very expensive to install solar on a home. Only the wealthy citizens can afford this and reap the economic benefit of a cash incentive. It's an elistist proposal without any widespread benefit. Typical when it comes to energy policy.

"Bothwell also said the company is considering bids on a pair of renewable-energy projects, including a solar-trough project that would serve 16,667 to 30,303 households."

PNM FOILS 5, 6, and 7

http://home.comcast.net/~bpayne37/pnmelectric...

label solar heat rate as "N/A" - not applicable according to PNM manager Pat O'Connell.

We are of the opinion that the laws of thermodynamics are not repealed for solar generation of electricity.

There is considerable question as to whether solar generated electricity will have much effect on possible New Mexico electrical shortages [see PNM FOIL 9]within the next several years.

German solar company Schott looks to be opening a plant in albuquerque in the spring of 2009.

http://www.prosefights.org/pnmsolar/pnmsolar....

We, of course, will see whether non-fossil fuel electric generation technologies will make much of a difference to aleviate future energy shortages.

And we do not yet know adverse unintended consequences of channeling wind and solar BTUs to generation of electricity.

My electric meter isn't working. I walked by the thing, knowing that the TV and dryer were both running. The wheel inside isn't turning at all.

It will be fun to see how long it takes PNM to figure this out, and even more fun for them to try and bill me correctly. I don't stand for being billed based on estimates, I want real kilowatts used.

This would be really great news...

If the REC rate were raised to $.20 per kWhr it would improve the 'payback period' less than 10 years, which seems to be the magic number where people start feeling its a worthwhile investment. The current rate plus federal/state tax credits produces about a 12 year payback, which works out to about a 5% investment. If this can be improved, I would hope more people will jump on the bandwagon. I hope the rate gors to $.20, and then is set at a percentage of the retail rate so it would go up WITH rising retail rates.

I would also like to say that more individuals NEED to jump on the bandwagon here in sunny NM so we won't have to build more new coal fired or nuclear power plants. We really need to offset the new home use, and the possible/probable new use from electric vehicles once the Volt and fully electric cars become popular.

Leaving renewable energy generation up to large installs won't be enough.... large windfarms, large solar arrays both require big open space near big power lines, and preferably not too near people; which creates a capacity, transmission and switching problem for utilities. If we have lots of little rooftop PV installs, then these problems go away because the power is basically used 'locally'.

The other REALLY exciting thing that is about to come on the market is PV panels that have individual small invertors built in... which means that a peron doesn't have to buy a huge expensive installation in one chunk, they could start with just a few panels and add over time. This would also require some changes to the REC agreements with utilities....

...This past summer I had a 5kW PV system installed, I now produce more electricity than I use; which means I have zero net use monthly plus a REC check for about $110 per month. I am happy with my investment, but would love a faster payback, and love to see more people join me in producing local power from the sun!

cgrach wrote:

Nice idea, but is it realistic? The economy is in shambles, folks are strapped for cash and incentive or not it's very expensive to install solar on a home. Only the wealthy citizens can afford this and reap the economic benefit of a cash incentive. It's an elistist proposal without any widespread benefit. Typical when it comes to energy policy.

It makes sense to encourage the production of clean energy where it is being used. I don't know what the heck is less "elitist" about subsidizing huge utilities, oil, gas and the other players in the energy and transmission industry to the extent that we do. This helps to level the playing field by assisting people produce for their own use in a cleaner way and contribute to the energy grid. It democratizes energy and distribution, if you want to put it that way.

Thanks for the knowledgeable comments. I think that the green revolution is going to happen with or without PNM. It would be nice if PNM developed a more cooperative and positive attitude towards alternative fuels.

Duke Energy, an major utility provider in the Carolinas, has a program where you can rent solar panels from them for the price of your average monthly electric bill. They install and maintain the equipment. If you generate more than the estimated amount, THEY will pay YOU. Now why can't we do something that cool in sunny New Mexico?

Why doesn't the city council just pass a law that all new homes have to be solar powered?

They already have a list of rules for remodeling your home with low-flow toilets, how much a business has to pay their undertrained, underqualified employees, and how far a person has to leave a bar in order to smoke...

Damon wrote:

Why doesn't the city council just pass a law that all new homes have to be solar powered?
They already have a list of rules for remodeling your home with low-flow toilets, how much a business has to pay their undertrained, underqualified employees, and how far a person has to leave a bar in order to smoke...

To be blunt, a low-flow toilet costs ~$300 (or less) and there are assistance/incentive programs that can help you pay for it.
A decent solar panel costs ~$2500. Unless the city can find money to offer similar incentives, I don't see it happening.

cgrach wrote:

Nice idea, but is it realistic? The economy is in shambles, folks are strapped for cash and incentive or not it's very expensive to install solar on a home. Only the wealthy citizens can afford this and reap the economic benefit of a cash incentive. It's an elistist proposal without any widespread benefit. Typical when it comes to energy policy.

EVERYONE gets a tax credit toward their purchase of solar panels, plus anyone who's on the grid and generates more electricity than they use gets a refund from PNM. I'd say that's a widespread benefit.

It doesn't appear to me that PNM is against renewables, which seems to be the tone of many comments here. They have a system for folks interested in solar to get fair compensation for their generation; it defrays the overall cost of the panels; add tax incentives, and it still comes out to be expensive, but for those truly keen on the technology the options are all there. It's not as if there is an active lobby against it by PNM.

We are an economically challenged state to say the least. I agree that renewables are going to play a big part of our energy future- as do many readers and the Legislature. However, forcing low income customers struggling to pay the bill today to pay even more for the select few who use solar to get a faster payback? Come on folks, that ain't PNM's sticking it to customers, that's you.

The programs are there- they can probably be improved a bit, but harshing on a fairly progressive utility that provides both wind and solar options to customers, REC buy back, net metering, and will make the State's renewable goals doesn't make them "closed" or "against" renewables. Frankly, it says the exact opposite.

Those who want to play, can. Those who can't play, don't have to bear the burden of those who do. That's just plain good economic sense.

Hi, chatterbox87501. Sorry to hear your meter isn't working. If you'll let me know who you are and where you live (an account number would be great), I'd be happy to follow up and find out what's going on with it. Please let me know. Thanks.