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Has blazing a trail in solar energy cost California too much?

LA Times -- That ray of light you see peeking through all the clouds darkening California's future? That's the sun. More specifically, solar power, in which California is the hands-down national leader.

The state's installed solar generating capacity of about 1.2 gigawatts — the equivalent of two big conventional power plants and enough to fill the electrical demand from nearly 200,000 homes for a year — easily outstrips the next 10 highest-ranked states. It's also the fastest-growing solar market in the country.

So you may not be surprised to learn that California's big utilities are fighting like mad to keep a lid on that growth. The most important battle in that war is scheduled for this week, with California's continued primacy as a solar state hanging in the balance. More than bragging rights

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Submitted May 23, 2012 By: angel4me

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nb52 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:7,775 Points:1,545,875 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 5:27:57 AM Ignore nb52 Report Abuse Everything costs California too much. The government runs everything.
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:6,854 Points:1,355,775 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: May 24, 2012 12:24:03 AM Ignore comprof Report Abuse Good example of government mandates based on poor science and lots of politics.
GoGoGoodyear Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,049 Points:507,105 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 10:55:43 PM Ignore GoGoGoodyear Report Abuse The article is right about one thing, all electric utility customers in California are subsidizing the customers who have solar. This requirement that the electric utilities buy excess electric power from the solar customers and pay the highest rate is one of many reasons why electric prices are so high here. Then the utility customers are further subsidizing customers who have solar because taxpayers pay for the tax incentives that the solar owners receive for installing solar panels. The tax incentives and subsidies are a big part of the reason why California leads other states with having the most solar installations. Take away the incentives and subsidies and let buyers see the real numbers and there will be many fewer solar panel sales.
crewsing Veteran Author Virginia Posts:391 Points:85,030 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 10:44:49 PM Ignore crewsing Report Abuse The electric companies shouldn't have tried to rape the people!
boborobot All-Star Author Michigan Posts:501 Points:416,675 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 10:08:21 PM Ignore boborobot Report Abuse I guess only time will tell.
melvindale Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,438 Points:351,230 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 10:02:46 PM Ignore melvindale Report Abuse Power companies are lying. They need the additional power in California. Due to transmission losses and saving the costs of new plants, they are not over paying. They just don't like the competition. That, and they want to be in control. What California needs is a solar array on every roof top. Its just the power companies that don't want that because they would be marginalized. If California had a solar array on every roof top, they could shut down all the nuclear plants and stop burning coal. They would only need the clean burning natural gas plants.
CDMAuto Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,788 Points:752,940 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:54:31 PM Ignore CDMAuto Report Abuse Every thing today is way over priced. Reason: Driven By GREED......
Wierbe Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,747 Points:1,118,140 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:48:21 PM Ignore Wierbe Report Abuse Too much of a good thing is not so good. California needs a balanced budget.
Fedorov91 Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,465 Points:879,110 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:46:21 PM Ignore Fedorov91 Report Abuse everything costs California too much.. look at the deficits
IUVidiot Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,585 Points:708,360 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:45:18 PM Ignore IUVidiot Report Abuse ok
milespergallon Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,744 Points:1,908,360 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:42:37 PM Ignore milespergallon Report Abuse Solar energy report! Therefore, WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,480 Points:1,670,195 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:41:12 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse Time will tell... solar technology is still inefficient, but getting better!
fenster66 Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:3,345 Points:673,115 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:36:59 PM Ignore fenster66 Report Abuse interesting...
skyking19 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:1,996 Points:1,697,965 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:36:42 PM Ignore skyking19 Report Abuse Always a little different in CA.
iceman11 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,715 Points:536,425 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:35:03 PM Ignore iceman11 Report Abuse Ok
Enterprise1701E Rookie Author Virginia Beach Posts:7 Points:26,365 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:34:50 PM Ignore Enterprise1701E Report Abuse anything to keep others from being in the race, just human nature
CatMan623 Champion Author Houston Posts:16,362 Points:2,343,795 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:33:58 PM Ignore CatMan623 Report Abuse California should answer the question for themselves...
hcivic Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,849 Points:2,264,740 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:33:29 PM Ignore hcivic Report Abuse interesting
Yankee829 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,201 Points:558,615 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:32:26 PM Ignore Yankee829 Report Abuse Ok
Papa_Gallo Champion Author Houston Posts:1,081 Points:425,735 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:31:34 PM Ignore Papa_Gallo Report Abuse Seventy five percent of government "grants" to solar companies have gone to campaign contributors and bundlers of the Obama re-election campaign.
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:555,480 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:28:58 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Opps, take three steps forward and two steps back :-)
benjy Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,592 Points:1,787,620 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:26:58 PM Ignore benjy Report Abuse zzzzzzzzz......
aggietim Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:1,756 Points:693,325 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:26:00 PM Ignore aggietim Report Abuse .
blah2blah3 Champion Author Houston Posts:2,601 Points:599,895 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:23:19 PM Ignore blah2blah3 Report Abuse here we go again!!!
gumbyrex Champion Author Fresno Posts:3,296 Points:758,315 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:22:35 PM Ignore gumbyrex Report Abuse Solar installation is not just for the wealthy, in the past the statement was true. However, there are now solar companies who lease the solar units installed. Meaning very little up front cost. There hook is your lease payments will be less than the utility bill you would pay without installing the solar unit. It's a win win for the company and the consumer.
AUREOLAE Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,364 Points:801,165 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:22:18 PM Ignore AUREOLAE Report Abuse here we go again.
ericbcire Champion Author Nevada Posts:4,515 Points:1,266,260 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:21:37 PM Ignore ericbcire Report Abuse Solar energy is destined for failure.
knot2swift Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,379 Points:696,025 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:19:12 PM Ignore knot2swift Report Abuse Solar is just too much up front. We need panels the same grade as NASA uses in space to really get places. The sun must be 10 times brighter up there for astronauts without shades go blind in an instant.Secondly what NASA use for panels are twice as efficient. So here we are with garden lights and people with expensive RV's in remote sites without "Plug Ins". There is a future in LED Christmas lights but to power houses is something else.
Vitobug Champion Author El Paso Posts:1,955 Points:639,935 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:15:13 PM Ignore Vitobug Report Abuse ok
dong1971 All-Star Author Vancouver Posts:660 Points:217,765 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:13:20 PM Ignore dong1971 Report Abuse know.
SavinOnFuel Champion Author Gary Posts:1,966 Points:1,256,160 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:09:22 PM Ignore SavinOnFuel Report Abuse Those crazy Californians...
Bleeder Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,038 Points:1,699,625 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:08:03 PM Ignore Bleeder Report Abuse California has cost California.
BrucePen Champion Author Ontario Posts:6,596 Points:1,360,865 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:06:43 PM Ignore BrucePen Report Abuse Big mistake. No possible way for solar to pay off. 30-40% increase in hydro rates in Ontario, while Liberals force their dream of solar and wind down our throats. Complete lack of intelligence in the Socialist Liberals.
mabrams184 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,100 Points:533,060 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:05:06 PM Ignore mabrams184 Report Abuse That's BS! The rate you pay to the utility company is more than they will pay you for what you sell to them. They win both ways. They just want to make more money. Solar is a very good thing. It's just a shame that a state like California is leading the way with the regulations for this industry. The state government that make the federal government look efficient.
crashintuc34 Champion Author Tucson Posts:4,042 Points:810,690 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:04:43 PM Ignore crashintuc34 Report Abuse Kalifornia is a colossal mess.
PizzaMon Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:5,134 Points:1,861,530 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:03:20 PM Ignore PizzaMon Report Abuse Let's all learn from CA.
CorvairHaven Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,349 Points:1,452,965 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:03:19 PM Ignore CorvairHaven Report Abuse Pay the piper.
tailpipeFL All-Star Author Tampa Posts:764 Points:45,165 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 9:01:33 PM Ignore tailpipeFL Report Abuse I think it's great idea and I'm all for it.Why are people finding fault? Is this that old class war stuff. The people and their politics need to get over this stuff.
Mowerman08 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:4,755 Points:1,217,020 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:53:48 PM Ignore Mowerman08 Report Abuse It cost EVERYONE in the U.S.
ctcowboy Sophomore Author Connecticut Posts:198 Points:42,820 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:53:10 PM Ignore ctcowboy Report Abuse not enough
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,645 Points:1,211,005 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:51:43 PM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Keep trying...
Taurus1 Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,125 Points:1,673,500 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:46:38 PM Ignore Taurus1 Report Abuse ok
bevmill Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,572 Points:599,345 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:46:36 PM Ignore bevmill Report Abuse ok
AKmailman Champion Author Alaska Posts:5,628 Points:1,556,590 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:45:19 PM Ignore AKmailman Report Abuse and this has what to do with cars? or the rest of America?
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,565 Points:2,444,160 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:41:43 PM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse gotta ask Moonbeam
Mr Tex All-Star Author Dallas Posts:868 Points:2,492,705 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:37:32 PM Ignore Mr Tex Report Abuse The old guard digging in,
nascar1411 Champion Author Idaho Posts:1,893 Points:661,340 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:31:39 PM Ignore nascar1411 Report Abuse let it shine
raj_fl Champion Author Trenton Posts:3,204 Points:727,030 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:30:00 PM Ignore raj_fl Report Abuse bright light for the future
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:8,384 Points:2,302,740 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:28:45 PM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse We will see if it pays off in the future.
LeeFree Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:9,146 Points:2,242,475 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: May 23, 2012 8:28:38 PM Ignore LeeFree Report Abuse There's always a problem with something.