Big Wind vs. Big Solar
Comparison Chart: Centralized Big Wind & Big Solar vs. The Better Way
This chart was produced to show a side-by-side comparison of the outdated centralized Big Energy model and “The Better Way” of generating and distributing renewable energy near its point of use. It is also an attempt to make the case for rooftop photovoltaics and microwind a compeling one. This chart was published in the Sierra Club Desert Report.
|
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 road systems, large transmission files (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 usually outsourced | 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 view sheds for miles; loud roaring sounds | 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 sole industry; ratepayers pay whatever utilities charge for power. | Rates will increase benefiting sole industry; ratepayers pay whatever utilities charge for power. | Rates will increase benefiting sole 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 |
Sources for the comparison chart:
Lost Acreage per MW
Industrial Wind: Source, BLM applications chart
CACA 47043 West Fry Mountains – Florida Power & Light Energy LLC
2500 acres / 50 MW (50 acres per MW)
CACA 48658 Black Butte – Orion BP – 2442 acres / 40 – 54 MW (45-61 acres per MW)
Industrial Concentrating Solar Thermal: Source, California Energy Commission
Applicant’s data responses.
Ivanpah – Bright Source – 6,720 / 400 MW (16.8 acres per MW)
Beacon – Beacon Solar, LLC – 2,012 acres / 250 MW (8 acres per MW)
Industrial PV: Source, BLM applications chart
CACA 48818 Optisolar Opal project – 14, 400 acres / 1205 MW (12 acres per MW)
CACA 48818 Optisolar Desert Ruby project – 15,280 acres / 1000 MW (15 acres per MW)
Water Use per MW
Industrial Concentrating Solar Thermal: Source, California Energy Commission
Air cooled – Ivanpah – Bright Source – 100a/f or 35,000,000 gallons / 400 MW (87,500 gallons per MW)
Water cooled – Beacon – 150 a/f or 525,000,000 gallons / 250 MW (2.1 million gallons per MW)