9 REASONS FOR SUN

Hidden Cost Savings: The Top 9 Public Benefits Of Installing Solar Power
Jessica Lillian, 2 August 2011 (Solar Industry)

"Even as the costs of solar power continue to decline, a widespread perception from the public and many policymakers that solar is "too expensive" remains…"em>[Solar Power Generation in the U.S.: Too expensive or a bargain?] challenges this assumption…The results confirm several key widespread public benefits of solar power and could provide the industry with a valuable weapon in the public-perception fight…

"…[I]n all, solar PV installations deliver $0.15/kWh to $0.40/kWh to ratepayers and taxpayers…[I]ncentives can be viewed as a logical means of transferring value from the public - which is enjoying solar's $0.15/kWh to $0.40/kWh benefits - to those who invested in the solar plants creating those benefits…"

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"What are these benefits, exactly?...[1] Savings on wholesale energy ($0.06-$0.11/kWh, of the total $0.15/kWh-$0.40/kWh)…[2] Reduction of demand-response expenses ($0.00-$0.05/kWh)…[3] Savings on energy losses within the distribution system ($0.00-$0.01/kWh)…[4] Reduced need for feeder equipment upgrades ($0.00-$0.03/kWh)…

"…[5] Hedge against fuel-price spikes ($0.02-$0.03/kWh)…[6] Grid security aid ($0.03-$0.06/kWh)…[7] Health-related and environmental gains ($0.03-$0.06/kWh)…[8] Long-term taxpayer benefits from reduced fuel-price volatility ($0.03-$0.04/kWh)…[9] Economic boost…"