ANDREWS: The fallacy of solar power

Published 10:00 am Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The year was 1962 and I was an engineer on the start up crew of a large 300MW coal fired generating station. We entered during construction, tested systems and were proceeding to start up the unit. We were notified by utility central control they needed the unit on line at full load if possible. The unit was started, put one line at full power and ran that way, on automatic, for a full year. This is the reliability the country has relied on for electric power. But it took close to 100 years to develop the technology. 

Nine years ago, I built a 1300 watt solar system pole mount at my home with battery backup. This is what I found out. The hazy conditions in Georgia result in about 25% reduction in panel output in the best climate condition. The panel glass surface accumulates dust, pollen and black mold reducing panel output, thus, requiring cleaning. Something difficult on a roof, mounted systems. That lightning strikes can take panels out of service, damage electronic controls and the first battery in the row of batteries. Panel output drops with age. The good news is that the cost of solar panels has dropped more that 50% and are smaller because of higher efficiency. Modern electronic controls extract more power from panels. These systems are very good during power outages, supplying refrigerator lights and receptacle with small generator in case the sun does not shine to charge batteries for a day of use in a few hours. 

But this does not overcome the fact of about six hours of low electrical output in the winter and 11 hours in the summer. Evening hours on battery. That is, if the sun shines. The problem is the new green deal the president and politician are promising people. It is apparent they do not know anything about utility operation and power generation needs. They know how to look intelligent, look official, and run their mouths and sign executive orders that make the electric grid unreliable for the people. It took 100 years for the power industry to develop, starting with the steam engine. History may show we are just at the beginning of alternate power development with usual mistakes along the way. Wise people know this and proceed with caution. 

I have met the county manager, whose jurisdiction has over 50 wind turbines in it. He was not impressed with wind turbines. They kill a lot of birds, ground covered with them, and fail in the winter because ice forms on the blades, causing out of balance, destroying bearings. High, costly maintenance is required. 

James Andrews

Milledgeville