In what states would it be viable to setup a Commercial Solar Farm?

Vikelf
Vikelf Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
In know in Louisiana, they give you great tax incentives but Entergy will only allow Net Metering. I wonder what states will actually pay you to generate renewable energy and what states pay a premium? ie more than they charge per Kwh.

Is there a list I could review or a site that lists this?
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,623 admin
    #2
    Re: In what states would it be viable to setup a Commercial Solar Farm?

    There is this site:
    [h=3]Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy[/h]Not sure they tabulate state/incentives, but you can certainly look up the information by state.

    I will give you a warning... The early states that gave large incentives have dropped many of them. Even some of the Federal Tax credits are scheduled to end pretty soon.

    And many states/utilities in sunny regions with significant existing solar installations are now starting to get push back from utilities (states are forcing utilities to pay very high kWH charges for "green power"--And it is starting to affect the bottom line/customer costs).

    A few countries (Spain, Canada, others?) are starting to back out from agreements/guarantees as they are not economically supportable (in parts of Canada, people got building permits/approvals to build subsidized solar power systems, and the government (?) utilities have, at times, flat out refused to allow grid connection.

    If you are looking for "investments"--I would be very cautious at this time. There may be some hidden pitfalls that were not there before.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • Vikelf
    Vikelf Registered Users Posts: 21 ✭
    #3
    Re: In what states would it be viable to setup a Commercial Solar Farm?

    Bill,

    I've researched that site before but it seems like you have to contact several departments to get any real information. Like you said, it's risky now with large upfront investment with potential loses down the road. Mainly it was a curiosity. I was thinking about cheap land in west texas and ~5MW plant. Yet, I don't have the connections nor the figures to even begin considering it. Pipe Dream!

    Thanks for reality check!
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  • willy
    willy Registered Users Posts: 2
    #4
    Re: In what states would it be viable to setup a Commercial Solar Farm?

    i don't know about state incentives but location and days of sun id say western az. or western nev. california is always running out of power.besides incentives ive also heard that altho all states are required to buy power some are allowed to buy at wholesale and some are required to buy at retail prices.
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,623 admin
    #5
    Re: In what states would it be viable to setup a Commercial Solar Farm?

    Each state (and even each utility) has its own rules and regulations.

    As solar power grows (from subsidies and other "green" polices), utilities (and many of their customers) are having "issues" with the costs of Grid Tied solar (and wind) power.

    Things are changing (sometimes quickly). If you are interested in Grid Tied Solar--Keep a close watch on your local politics. GT Solar (and its rate plan advantages for the GT customer) may not remain an option for many places in the US (or even Canada) in the near future.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: In what states would it be viable to setup a Commercial Solar Farm?

    the nutjobs running kailifornia are now freaking out about the desert habitat being changed by large solar plants. Oh no - the sky is falling.....
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,623 admin
    #7
    Re: In what states would it be viable to setup a Commercial Solar Farm?

    Just for grins--Try finding a solar power plant in the California desert with Google Maps.

    Here is a hint, a 150 MW station near "Kramer Junction" (plug into Google Maps). About 1 mile square--And ~10 miles to the east is another ~1 mile square array.

    They are very difficult to find if you don't have a landmark to search from... There is a lot of land and not much else there.

    There is a huge 50+ year old open pit borax mine nearby to the west--Heard anyone protesting that?

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #8
    Re: In what states would it be viable to setup a Commercial Solar Farm?

    Also a commercial solar power plant represents a huge capital investment. This needs to be amortized over many years. At the same time the rules can change in an instant. So before anyone goes plunking down several million dollars on equipment they need to get an agreement carved in stone that the state and federal government isn't going to put them out of business next year with the flourish of a pen.
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