Comparing solar power to traditional power generation the open way

This is the second article in a two-part series on disruption in the electrical power generation industry that could lead to open organization projects. In the first part about how open organizations can harness changing energy generation and distribution methods, based on the book, Clean Disruption of Energy and Transportation by Tony Seba, I discussed shifts to the use of electric vehicles over internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, the use of self-driving over human-driven vehicles, and the use of solar power generation over nuclear power generation.

In this second part, I will discuss additional potential projects likely to introduce more utilization shifts, specifically the use of solar power generation over other sources. Solar power has advantages over other primary power generation methods, including: oil, natural gas (with methane), biofuels, and coal.

Solar power generation versus oil power generation

As mentioned in part one of this series, solar power generation costs are falling rapidly. These falling costs are due to solar power innovations, which should provide opportunities to replace fossil-fuel generated energy. The costs are projected to continue falling due to various factors, including: increased electricity use and a fast learning curve, practical electrical use for many devices, and the ability to resell electrical power to other parties.

Solar cost has improved by 5,355 times from 1970 to 2014 compared to oil. Furthermore, for new power plants, on a levelized cost of generating solar electricity (LCOE), solar is already cheaper than power from oil-powered plants. Even Saudi Arabia is building solar plants, as it might need 30% of its oil production for desalination plants. It is cheaper for desalinating water. Saudi Arabia knows that solar is the future, and oil is the past.

Natural resources are also a consideration with oil power generation. Oil supply is a geopolitical concern for energy-dependent nations, as seen daily with the Ukraine War. Sun energy is everywhere and doesn't have that worry. Oil power generation plants uses four times as much water as natural gas, which is 10,000 times more than solar power plants.

With upcoming electric vehicles, autonomous cars, solar energy grids, and individual production, oil as an energy source will not be competitive in the years ahead. In many countries, oil (and coal) is government subsidized. If those subsidies stop, oil will be even less competitive. Solar power electricity generation is cheaper than diesel-powered generation in many regions, and is less expensive for heating and lighting than kerosene.

Even storage is a consideration. Battery storage is cheaper than running diesel-powered backup generators, and solar costs are dropping even further. Solar salt energy storage is more economical than large-scale petroleum generation.

Solar power generation versus natural gas (with methane) power generation

As mentioned above, solar power generation costs are falling rapidly and are projected to continue doing so.

How does solar produced electricity measure up against natural gas? Solar cost has improved by 2,275 times compared to natural gas between 1970 and 2014. For new power plants, on a levelized cost of generating solar electricity (LCOE), solar is already cheaper than power from natural gas-powered plants. Wholesale natural gas prices can be low, but distribution costs are high, making retail prices high. It is difficult to ship natural gas long distances or for export, as it must be converted into a compressed or liquefied form. Then it has to be decompressed or un-liquefied at the destination.

Solar is far cheaper considering environmental costs from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) extraction and pipeline leaks endanger air, water, and soil. It is already more affordable in Europe, where investors are writing off their investments. Fracking uses a great deal of water, which is hard on the neighboring environment. Natural gas is very dangerous and leaks into the soil, water, and atmosphere. Most of the pipeline leaking is hidden from the public.

Besides costs, fracking uses around two to four million gallons of water in a single natural gas well. That is 10,000 times more water than solar uses. With water stress coming in the future, fracking is not recommended long-term.

It is claimed that natural gas produces half the greenhouse gases compared to coal, but the methane (a main component of natural gas) is 72 times worse than CO2 as a greenhouse gas. Solar and wind are much easier on the environment than either coal or natural gas. Natural gas production is only a very short-term solution to climate change.

From the residential perspective, with affordable financing, solar panels on home roofs (and even stores and commercial buildings), the natural gas market should decline, becoming obsolete and uncompetitive. Today, companies can design solar panel arrangements on any home roof from an office using Google Earth and easily give a quote. The cost of design and installation is coming down with improved processes.

Solar power cooperatives are being formed in some communities to provide electricity to targeted neighborhoods. This can reduce the cost of electricity even more, making natural gas even less competitive. Imagine open organization communities formed strictly for community electricity generation, which includes panel installation, maintenance, and power distribution. Some web-based companies are now creating these communities.

Solar power generation versus biofuels power generation

Biofuel pricing is not falling, yet, as seen above, solar power generation costs continue to drop.

Resource utilization is a major concern with biofuels. Producing biofuel requires a great deal of water, putting further stress on the global water supply. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), about 10% ofthe world's fresh water supply is used to produce energy. Biofuels are one of the heaviest users of water, and solar is one of the lightest. It takes 13,676 gallons of water for soybean production for a gallon of biodiesel (WaterFootprint). Biofuels use an astonishing 1.78 million times more water than solar. With a global water shortage coming, biofuel production is just crazy. Significant land, pesticides, and fertilizer are also required for production.

Ethanol is a popular fuel in Brazil, but the government heavily subsidizes it to support the sugarcane industry, not because it is economical but for national security. With solar technology available, Brazilians should move away from ethanol-powered vehicles and remain secure as a nation. In terms of energy production, solar panels are 123 times more efficient than sugarcane-to-ethanol production. Against other biofuels, solar might be up to 550 times more efficient.

Solar power generation versus coal power generation

Coal costs are not declining, yet solar power generation continues to become more economical. Seba wrote, "On February 1, 2013, El Paso Electric agreed to purchase power from First Solar's 50 MW Macho Springs project for 5.79¢/kWh. That's less than half the 12.8¢/kWh from typical new coal plants." This kind of disruption will continue until 2030.

Even China is getting in on the game with solar. Solar installation in China tripled in 2013 and is hitting record-breaking additions through 2024 and 2025.

As noted with other power generation sources, resource management is critical. Coal power generation uses twice as much water as natural gas, which is 10,000 times more than solar. China's water is either drying up or becoming contaminated.

Coal is also a major air pollutant, along with gasoline, diesel, and wood. 1.2 million people in China die prematurely because of poor quality air (The Lancet). With the health expenses and loss of work, coal is not cheap. This is also true in India, with as many as six million deaths annually.

Coal operations in most industrialized countries are retiring their old coal-powered plant operations in favor of either natural gas or wind. This is not because they are dirty but uneconomical compared to many other energy sources. But carbon capture systems that are demanded by regulation in some coal operations keep coal use going in certain regions of the world. The coal industry is being supported by those governments but not helping their people. It represents 40%-50% of the total world's electricity generation. China was at 46% in 2010, mainly due to subsidies. More pressure should be put on China and the rest of the world to divest from coal.

Distributed electricity (small and simple) versus conventional large utilities

One of the major reasons governments protect conventional power generation is national sovereignty. Energy-dependent countries must maintain their local energy generation. But the sun and wind are almost anywhere. Therefore, all countries can strengthen their sovereignty with renewable energy sources.

Generating their own solar power over buying from any fossil fuel utility should be explored. According to Seba, centralized power generation has a 7¢/kWh cost disadvantage over distributed generation (2014), which has widened as solar generation costs keep dropping. Considering just that factor, establishing an open organization community to work on it would be very productive.

When buying electricity for irrigation in California, agriculture is paying ten times more from Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) than on-site solar/wind power generation. It is better to switch to solar or wind, and according to Seba, that is what the farmers are doing there.

This benefit is true for many commercial businesses as well. Walmart and IKEA are going to "Big-Box" solar rooftops to massively reduce their electricity costs. They may even start selling electricity to their community customers.

Consider rural distributed electricity, too. This idea is not in Seba's book, but where the sun doesn't shine much, water movement and wind can make rural communities electricity self-sufficient. If not, further in the future, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) might be the secret. All of these energy sources are becoming viable.

Wrap up

Solar power has advantages over other power generation methods such as oil, natural gas, biofuels, and coal. Increased concerns over the utilization of resources like water also make solar more attractive than ever. And plenty of arguments are available for energy independence at the national, regional, community, and even personal levels. Solar certainly has a place at the table in those discussions.

With all the above benefits, it seems anyone can generate excitement around open organization community projects regarding either solar or wind power.