Will the future of energy be driven by massive utility solar farms or millions of local rooftop systems? John Farrell from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shares his insights on how utility monopolies are strangling local solar efforts -- especially in California -- where monopoly utilities are locking customers into sky-high rates.
The conversation delves into the growing trend of “grid defection” as consumers use their own solar and battery systems to reduce their dependence on utility power. With an appropriately sized solar and battery system -- with a little help from a friendly EV -- it is indeed possible to cut the cord with the utility completely. Locations with lots of sunlight and high electric rates will be the first places where people can cost effectively ditch their local utility.
With all due respect to Alice’s Restaurant…could this be the start of a nationwide movement? Please listen to this week’s Energy Show episode.
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Every week Barry hosts The Energy Show, a 30 minute informative talk show that covers a broad variety of energy related topics spanning technology, economics, policy, and politics that are shaping the future of how we generate and consume electricity, along with practical money-saving tips on ways to reduce your home and business energy consumption.
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Oddly, I've seen solar youTubers (e.g. this guy) explaining that attaching solar or solar/battery to the grid cause grid strain, and that's why rates are going up "so the utility can beef up their infrastructure". I call BS on that... and while you do a little debunking of that here, I'd love to see/hear a podcast where that myth gets destroyed with facts. I believe the only scenario where upgrades may be needed is if/when some percentage of households in a neighborhood backfeed MORE than the grid can handle. But the solution here is to mandate that every connection allow for curtailment. The question is, would I trust the power company to curtail sanely? (Answer is no!).