Reply #23: EXACTLY!!!! I ignore anyone who dismisses solar while ignoring "storage".

[suziedemocrat]

WHY do we not STORE energy? I don't drive down the road with a gas pump attached to the car, I store the gasoline in my car and use it when it is needed. Why does a power plant crank out all this power, and what is not immediately used is wasted? Dumb design - IMO. I don't get paid every hour and what I don't immediately spend is lost. I have a Savings Account, and earn money when I can, and spend it when I need it. The same with Solar and Wind, we should capture it at the best time for capture, and store it for use when we need it. It doesn't take a math wiz to understand this common principle.

You are right that what we need is better/cheaper batteries. Also, IMO, the more distributed the system, the better! The only people who benefit from large, centralized power systems are the fat cats who are already so rich it's immoral. POWER TO THE PEOPLE means distributed power!

First Step for Everyone's Energy Independence is to Reduce Power Consumption: passive solar design, live close to work, fuel efficient car, etc.

Second Step is Independent Power systems, like Solar, Wind, etc., with the appropriate storage systems.