S. Burlington (VT) planning huge solar array to be 14 times larger than any other in State

[garybeck]

SOUTH BURLINGTON — Developers will unveil plans for what could become Vermont’s largest solar array at 7:30 tonight at a public hearing at South Burlington City Hall.

The new solar “orchard” would harness power from 498 solar trackers — 14 times more than the number installed at NRG Systems’ headquarters in Hinesburg.

Tentatively scheduled to go on line in December, the new project will boast a capacity of 2.2 megawatts — enough electricity to power about 430 households.

more: http://solarbus.org/blog/

[NJmaverick]

1. This seems like an odd state to be going solar

I would think they would be better off with wind, while the southern and western states would go solar.

[garybeck]

2. that is just one of the misconceptions of solar energy

the sun shines everywhere, even in vermont and oregon. having less sun than Arizona doesn't mean solar isn't feasible. it just means it costs a bit more to get the same job done (in other words, more solar panels will create the same amount of energy).

peak demand is still summer daytime here in Vermont, like it is in Arizona. And that means solar can play a vital role in any state's energy supply.

[NNadir]

3. The capacity utilization of solar cells in New England (MOCA) is 10.6%.

The solar fraud always announces peak power as if it represents continuous power.

This means that at best, this system will actually represent 0.2 MW of continuous (average) power, although most of the time, it will be replaced by burning dangerous fossil fuels, dumping the waste in the atmosphere and um, killing people.

It won't even come near running all of the computers in Vermont burn musing how wonderful solar is.

It's a gas man's dream.

[garybeck]

4. Stop misleading people. the article is accurate.

Solar energy plants are not rated in continuous (average) power. That is not how they function. They are rated in either peak power or quantity over time. The peak output is a significant factor for solar because it offsets the peak demand of the power grid. The peak demand is summer daytime and that is when the panels produce power. This is good for the utility companies, because peak demand is their greatest concern. Anyone who studies this stuff understands this. You on the other hand, appear to be more interested in comparing apples and oranges, and calling people names.


just do the math and you'll find the article is accurate... the article says the 2.2MW plant will power about 430 homes. If you consider vermont's average 4.3 hours of peak sun per day, that is 9.46 MW-hours per day on average. For 430 homes, that is 22 KWh/day. that is close to the state year-round average, and the math is correct. so stop misleading people.