2 Large Solar Plants Planned in California

[hoon]

In a landmark announcement today, Optisolar and the Sunpower Corporation said they plan to build 2 solar plants that will produce a total of 800 MW of power. During peak hours, the plants will produce as much energy as a small nuclear reactor or a large coal plant.

2 Large Solar Plants Planned in California, Will Each Be 10 Times Bigger Than Largest Now in Service : CleanTechnica

[blackfoxtrade]

Hooray!

[BestTimesNow]

It's a great start for a major plant, but it's still very expensive.

"The projects will be dependent upon a 30% federal income tax incentive, as well as additional incentives from California that now cover 50% of the upfront cost of new solar installations."

Let The Sun Shine - Forbes.com

[prashamk]

We all know that upfront cost of the project is high indeed! But then it requires very little recurring costs which pays the need for high upfront cost.

Or is it my misconception?

[LMagic007]

Also one must bear in mind that Climate Change is a costly business in more ways than one.

[BestTimesNow]

Here'a another story with a video, about this project.

SunPower rallies on role in giant PG&E solar project - MarketWatch

[August]

City Tour for Solar Addresses Democratic National Convention's Call for Increased Renewable Energy - MarketWatch

BELTSVILLE, Md., Aug 26, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- A solar tour, designed to educate municipal leaders, community members, public schools, universities and utilities on how to make solar energy a meaningful power resource for their cities, will exhibit during the Democratic National Convention at Denver's Green Frontiers Fest (...)Providing practical information on how to plan, implement and verify the value of municipal and utility solar programs, the City Tour for Solar offers interactive demonstrations that explain how solar power is a vital resource for achieving new renewable energy objectives at local, state and national levels.

I observe that solar power development is becoming a topic for serious discussion in the political and business sectors of the USA. It's interesting, and I am hopeful that it is a discussion that is not, all of a sudden, going to come to pass.

[Besoeker]

Originally Posted by hoon

In a landmark announcement today, Optisolar and the Sunpower Corporation said they plan to build 2 solar plants that will produce a total of 800 MW of power. During peak hours, the plants will produce as much energy as a small nuclear reactor or a large coal plant.

A large coal fired power station produces 4,000 MW.

[LMagic007]

Originally Posted by Besoeker

A large coal fired power station produces 4,000 MW.

Along with lots of CO2 pollution contributing to Climate Change, being the very issue the world is desperately trying to avoid. Along with rising fossil fuel costs in the face of increasing global demand for energy, being the very thing world is desperately trying to avoid. The very reason for the application of clean renewable long term sustainable energy projects around the world. The very reason this discussion exists.

[Besoeker]

Originally Posted by LMagic007

Along with lots of CO2 pollution contributing to Climate Change, being the very issue the world is desperately trying to avoid. Along with rising fossil fuel costs in the face of increasing global demand for energy, being the very thing world is desperately trying to avoid. The very reason for the application of clean renewable long term sustainable energy projects around the world. The very reason this discussion exists.

My post was in response to the comment about relative size.
Not the the relative merits of the technologies.