This in-depth article today in the News & Observer discusses some of the challenges facing the solar industry which I have brought forward in previous posts including;
Peak Solar? NC’s frenetic pace of solar development faces hurdles
- The inability of the current electric grid to support the expansion of solar projects. Today's grid is built on a hub & spoke setup build around large generation plants; a micro-grid infrastructure is needed to support green projects.
- The inability of the electric grid to handle more capacity at the interconnect points for solar projects.
- The reality that most solar energy is being generated in rural areas with no adequate plans or ability to deliver it to urban centers. The rural areas are saturated with power.
- Low solar energy prices.
- The decline in green subsidies supporting the solar industry. Along with a subsidy and credit policy in the government that is actually designed to make it hard for the green energy industry (because it was designed by traditional energy lobbyists).
- A lack of solar panels in urban areas. Large projects require a significant amount of costly space, and small projects (roof-top) have regulations aligned against them as well as facing significant payback periods in terms of cost.
- The utilities not supporting "net-metering" to pay homeowners and small businesses that generate solar power into the grid.
- Resistance in rural areas to further solar and wind projects.
Peak Solar? NC’s frenetic pace of solar development faces hurdles
- Some utility substations can’t accommodate more solar farms without costly upgrades
- NC’s 35% renewable tax credit, which had been funding the upgrades, expired last year
- Solar prices are so low that Duke Energy no longer subsidizes some farms in NC