how come use of solar engery in sunny california is not common as that of in many of the world?

Question

how come use of solar engery in sunny california is not common as that of in many of the world

Answer 1

Actually, California is a front runner in the solar power energy industry. They have several different types and methods of solar power collection. The problem with solar energy as it stands today is that your typical solar cell takes an exorbitant amount of energy to produce, so much so that the same solar cell will not collect as much energy in a cell's typical life span. The energy used to produce these cells is currently coming from fossil fuels, so, it's kind of a loosing game environmentally speaking. They have created a couple solar collection bins, if you will, where they have a field of mirrors that collect and aim the sun's rays towards a collection point, this has increased the efficiency, but the infrastructure still makes it more expensive then other environmentally friendly forms of energy like wind power. They are working at both making solar cells more efficient and to reduce the cost and energy in manufacturing. It will come with time and research. For now, the best method of solar use in our country is pasive solar heating and cooling, and I've seen alot more use of that in modern building tecniques.

Answer 2

Because, we have an electrical distribution system, and delivered energy is substantially cheaper than setting up a personal solar grid in the short run. Solar energy is used in parts of California, mainly areas/properties remote from the grid, or in cases where the user is third Tier (especially with PG&E).

I use a self-designed/built solar power cooling system on my greenhouse. I built the system for about $800.00, I save over $300.00 every summer (May - October). So my total outlay was 1) and initial investment of $800.00 and including 2) a generous 15% per year return had I invested elsewhere (over 5 years my "Amortized Cost" was $1480.00). Based on a realized a $300.00 per year cost savings, I broke even during my fifth year.

But, there was the initial $$ outlay, a lot of time spent researching and building the system. Time and effors spent away from the Telly!

But then again, I now save money, and the brownouts we have don't affect my orchids.

Answer 3

Quote:
"While I'm at it, I'd also like to point out that the idea that just because solar power can't provide *all* of our energy needs, it is therefore incapable of supplying *any* of our energy needs is fallacious.

For instance, in California a large surge in electrical usage is attributable to air conditioning needs in the hot, sunny summer months. Solar energy is perfect for filling this demand, because the demand quite neatly matches the supply. In this case there's no need to posit the existence of space borne, microwave linked solar power stations or long distance transmission lines.

People's rooftops will work quite nicely, and at a fraction of the cost and complexity. If you already have to bring extra generating capacity on line when it's sunny and hot, then there's nothing wrong with a technology that only produces power when it's sunny and hot." Un-quote.

Answer 4

Because California is near the ocean and it's possible that they use water as an energy source since there's so much of it

Answer 5

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