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249 points Jtsummers | 2 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source
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umvi ◴[] No.45762286[source]
Has storage been solved yet? In my experience US power companies hate crediting pushback to the grid because it all happens at the same time during peak sunlight hours and then customers get to use those credits at night and during the winter which the power company thinks is unfair. In Idaho at least the power companies were able to change the laws so that you get much fewer credits for solar panels on your roof which means they aren't great unless you can figure out how to store the generated energy inexpensively.

Personally I like the idea of an electric car doubling as a house battery but so far I think only the F-150 lightning is capable of doing that.

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Retric ◴[] No.45762392[source]
> Has storage been solved yet?

In general yes, grid solar + grid batteries are cheaper than any peaking power plants. So now 24/7 batteries + wind + solar generally outcompetes nuclear, coal, or natural gas on price as long as there’s no tariffs involved.

This isn’t enough to make batteries + solar viable in Alaska but long distance transmission lines could solve that issue cost effectively.

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seanmcdirmid ◴[] No.45762478[source]
Solar is actually viable in places like Alaska and Finland. It just isn't viable in the winter, but in the summer it is extra viable. Greenhouses (another form of solar) also work wonders in Alaska, and outside they can grow the biggest pumpkins you'll ever see anywhere.
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1. namibj ◴[] No.45763259[source]
You can just put solar fences in Alaska....

Half of Germany is north of the straight part of the US/Canada border...

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2. seanmcdirmid ◴[] No.45764333[source]
Ketchikan is about the same latitude as Copenhagen. You actually have enough easy to access hydro on the panhandle that solar isn't going to be very competitive. Fairbanks and up is where solar is viable in the summer and not in the winter.