Green Peace Leader Rags on Solar Power

[Deathridesahorse]

I think his comments appear shallow and understate the potential value of solar technologies. It's a big statement to say "solar is completely ridiculous" and I think that anyone that makes that type of statement brings into question where their loyalties lie and for what reason, because a sweeping statement like that, seems to come across as not only misleading but also irrational. One does wonder whether there may be other reasons motivating his position on these issues, that might have more to do with internal politics and potential relationships with industry, rather than a concern about energy policy.

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Quite simply, Patrick Moore will meet the same fate that John *that little Poison Gnome* Howard did.

[Deathridesahorse]

I also, at times, wonder if 9-11 was engineered to resemble a potential Nuclear Catastrophe...

[Wobs]

Originally Posted by Deathridesahorse

I also, at times, wonder if 9-11 was engineered to resemble a potential Nuclear Catastrophe...

Hey, more evidence of how your mind works. Thank you.

[Wobs]

Originally Posted by Deathridesahorse

I think his comments appear shallow and understate the potential value of solar technologies. It's a big statement to say "solar is completely ridiculous" and I think that anyone that makes that type of statement brings into question where their loyalties lie and for what reason, because a sweeping statement like that, seems to come across as not only misleading but also irrational. One does wonder whether there may be other reasons motivating his position on these issues, that might have more to do with internal politics and potential relationships with industry, rather than a concern about energy policy.

<<

Quite simply, Patrick Moore will meet the same fate that John *that little Poison Gnome* Howard did.

He was probably talking of PV. In the context of providing large supply this is quite reasonable. PV has its uses, and will no doubt expand in its uses, but there are still no signs that it will be a major player in global energy demands. Increases such as 40% that we've seen are not signs that it will be otherwise, as its 40% from a very small starting point. Also, the potential isn't as great as most other energy sources in terms of usefulness and economic viability.

[Deathridesahorse]

Originally Posted by Wobs

Hey, more evidence of how your mind works. Thank you.

Is that all the purchase you could achieve?(how interesting!)

[Deathridesahorse]

Originally Posted by Wobs

He was probably talking of PV. In the context of providing large supply this is quite reasonable. PV has its uses, and will no doubt expand in its uses, but there are still no signs that it will be a major player in global energy demands. Increases such as 40% that we've seen are not signs that it will be otherwise, as its 40% from a very small starting point. Also, the potential isn't as great as most other energy sources in terms of usefulness and economic viability.

Oh, yes, why don't we go about making excuses for Patrick Moore now!

[Wobs]

Originally Posted by Deathridesahorse

Is that all the purchase you could achieve?(how interesting!)

Well if you want to expand upon, feel free, but it might be worthy of a new thread (exclamation mark).

[Wobs]

Originally Posted by Deathridesahorse

Oh, yes, why don't we go about making excuses for Patrick Moore now!

Offering up an explanation for someone's comments from an article hardly seems unreasonable.

[LMagic007]

Originally Posted by Wobs

He was probably talking of PV. In the context of providing large supply this is quite reasonable. PV has its uses, and will no doubt expand in its uses, but there are still no signs that it will be a major player in global energy demands. Increases such as 40% that we've seen are not signs that it will be otherwise, as its 40% from a very small starting point. Also, the potential isn't as great as most other energy sources in terms of usefulness and economic viability.

Solar PV has huge potential and even if Patrick Moore is talking only about PV, he's wrong. One has to appreciate the convergence of many technology trends to more fully appreciate the potential of technologies like Solar PV. At current global growth rates ( 40% - 50% ) of Solar PV deployment, by 2030 Solar PV will have had a significant impact on our energy balance. That is extremely clear based on megawatt growth projections at those rates, even from the currently low base of deployment.

If these growth rates fall dramatically, then yes one might question the direction and potential contribution of solar PV. I suspect the global growth rates of solar PV deployments, would have to fall well under 20% to seriously be questioned in terms of the significance of its contribution. All evidence based on the last decade of 15 to 20% growth rates for solar PV, in combination to current market indications, suggest solar PV will likely continue to grow strongly, well into the future.

I'm still waiting to see evidence and more particularly proof, that clean coal is going to be available any time soon, as much as I hope it eventually will. Once carbon tax kick in after 2010 for some nations, solar PV and other renewable could expect to get a kick start and see their deployment growth rates soar, so long as governments retain their Solar PV rebate programs. Based on the imperative of combating Climate Change, I see good reason that Solar PV rebates would continue well into the future and if the climate outlook worsens, such rebates might even increase.

Speaking in the Australian context, I think, there would have to be a significant breakthrough in clean coal technologies, for the current situation of 2 for 1 solar rebates to change. i.e in Australia currently you roughly pay around $4000 for a Solar PV system worth $12,000 1 kw grid connect system. It's a start, but I think they need to at least double the rebate to allow for a 2 kw system. I think we need to significantly decentralize our energy dependency and this trend is already emerging.

[Wobs]

Originally Posted by LMagic007

Solar PV has huge potential and even if Patrick Moore is talking only about PV, he's wrong. One has to appreciate the convergence of many technology trends to more fully appreciate the potential of technologies like Solar PV. At current global growth rates ( 40% - 50% ) of Solar PV deployment, by 2030 Solar PV will have had a significant impact on our energy balance. That is extremely clear based on megawatt growth projections at those rates, even from the currently low base of deployment.

No.
Just because a growth rate of 40ish% exists now, does not mean that it will continue, and is likely to fall well below 20% in the period you stated. Show me any other technology that has continued to grow for over 20 years continuously at such rates.

Speaking in the Australian context, I think, there would have to be a significant breakthrough in clean coal technologies, for the current situation of 2 for 1 solar rebates to change. i.e in Australia currently you roughly pay around $4000 for a Solar PV system worth $12,000 1 kw grid connect system. It's a start, but I think they need to at least double the rebate to allow for a 2 kw system. I think we need to significantly decentralize our energy dependency and this trend is already emerging.

While its good to see grants or rebates for such technology available, they can only do so much.

The improvements in terms of cost, and performance have eaked out improvements overall which has made them more appealing to some more people, and this is what we have seen in the increase in sales. The market will find its own level again after the improvements have found their niches.

While its encouraging that PV has increased in popularity, there will be a limit to such growth.

If you have any further news on clean coal technology, feel free to put them in the appropriate forum of course.