General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The World's Largest Solar Plant Started Creating Electricity Today [View all]OldRedneck
(1,397 posts)Opponents of solar power are quick to ask: "What happens when it's dark?'
Well, when it's dark, there's no power coming from solar collectors. SO WHAT??
Here's how I answer folks who sneer and ask about the dark.
1. Natural-gas fired power plants can crank up quickly to provide power when solar collectors are not producing electricity. In fact, many utilities use natural-gas fired plants now to handle demand surges.
2. What if I gave you this deal: Divide your mortgage payment into hourly amounts and I'll pay your mortgage for every hour the sun is shining. That is, there are 720 hours in a month -- a $1,440 mortgage payment = $2.00 per hour mortgage payment. Figure an average of 12 hours per day sunlight (much more in summer, much less in winter) -- I'll end up paying half your mortgage payment annually. Would you take that deal?? OF COURSE YOU WOULD. So -- why won't you accept 12 hours a day of free electricity?