|
|
Industrial Wind
|
Industrial Concentrating
Solar Thermal
|
Industrial PV
|
Point of Use PV / Microwind
"The Better Way"
|
|
Lost Acreage
|
45-61 acres per MW,
plus roads, transmission
lines and staging
|
8-16 acres per MW,
plus roads, transmission
lines and staging
|
12 -15 acres per MW,
plus roads, transmission
lines and staging
|
None - no new roads
or transmission.
|
|
Water Use
|
Minimal.
|
87,500 gallons per MW
annually air cooled;
2.1 million gallons per MW
annually water cooled.
|
Regular rinsing required -
exact figure unavailable.
|
None
|
|
Additional
Infrastructure
Required
|
Major new roads systems,
large transmission lines
(high GHG emissions)
|
Large transmission lines
(high GHG emissions),
natural gas lines
(fossil fuel, GHG
emissions), water
lines/wells, new roads
|
Large transmission lines
(high GHG emissions),
roads
|
None
|
|
Fossil Fuel
Consumption
|
Backup capacity in gas
must be built because of
inconsistencies; fossil
fuels used to ramp up
turbines to speed.
|
Natural gas used
in most applications.
|
None
|
None
|
|
Job Creation
|
Construction by large
contractors; jobs in remote
locations; modest O&M;
manufacturing usually
outsourced
|
Construction by large
contractors; jobs in remote
locations; modest O&M;
manufacturing usually
outsourced
|
Construction by large
contractors; jobs in remote
locations; modest O&M;
manufacturing may be local
|
Installation by local
contractors; maintenance
by local labor; benefits
remain in the community
|
|
Impact on
Property values
|
Steep declines for all
properties near generation
and near transmission;
destruction of viewsheds
for miles; loud roaring
sound
|
Steep declines for all
properties near generation
and near transmission
|
Steep declines for all
properties near generation
and near transmission
|
Steep increases - full value of
system immediately
recognized, most
jurisdictions waive property
taxes on improvement;
preserves quality of life and
views
|
|
Eminent Domain
|
Widespread for generation
and for transmission
|
Widespread for generation
and for transmission
|
Widespread for generation
and for transmission
|
None
|
|
Ratepayer
participation
|
Ratepayers must pay 100%
of infrastructure costs but
will not own anything;
passive energy
dependence; minimal
incentive for conservation
|
Ratepayers must pay 100%
of infrastructure costs but
will not own anything;
passive energy
dependence; minimal
incentive for conservation
|
Ratepayers must pay 100%
of infrastructure costs but
will not own anything;
passive energy
dependence; minimal
incentive for conservation
|
Everyone who pays for their
system owns it themselves;
active energy independence;
full participation; proven
increased conservation
|
|
Financial impact
on ratepayers
|
Rates will increase
benefiting solely industry;
ratepayers pay whatever
utilities charge for power.
|
Rates will increase
benefiting solely industry;
ratepayers pay whatever
utilities charge for power.
|
Rates will increase
benefiting solely industry;
ratepayers pay whatever
utilities charge for power.
|
Rates will increase;
feed in tariffs will compensate
ratepayer generators so
money flows to people not
just industry.
|
|
Implementation
time
|
Lead time 2-8 years,
construction time of
6 - 18 months.
|
Lead time 2-8 years,
construction time of
6 - 18 months.
|
Lead time 2-8 years,
construction time of
6 - 18 months.
|
No lead time,
immediate installation
|
