The Energy Store Part II: The Solar Alternative

It is a balmy 112 degrees inside -- time for some fresh air. You put on some sunglasses and go outside to water the dirt. It's another clear, sunshiny day here in the Mojave Desert. Why, there's nary a cloud in the sky -- hasn't been for weeks. Little Billy comes over and reminds you that there's a drought. Best to let the rain water the lawn. Rain? You must have a touch of heatstroke, kid. It doesn't "rain" here. As you stare out into the searing distance, you wonder why anyone in their right mind would live in a desert with weather like this.

As it turns out, the Kramer Junction Operating Company (KJC) wouldn't have it any other way. Nestled in the tranquil Mojave Desert town of Boron, Calif., KJC is the world's largest producer of solar power. The more sunshine it gets, the better.

Not long ago I took a tour of the KJC solar plant. David M. Rib, vice president and manager of regulatory affairs at KJC, is an affable, sagacious fellow who perceives the energy crisis from a unique perspective. He's on the supply side.

"On a peak day," observes Rib, "we generate 150 megawatts (MW) at a time."

Forgive me while I quote some statistics. One hundred fifty MW is enough to power 150,000 homes, and on clear summer days (i.e., during 90 percent of the year) his plant is capable of operating at or above its design capacity. KJC also has modest on-site natural gas facilities that allow it to generate supplemental power in addition to the solar energy produced.

On a hot August afternoon, the state of California's demand peaks at 45,000 MW. With a little math we understand that, during this time of extreme demand, KJC -- the world's largest solar plant -- is capable of providing a full one-third of 1 percent of one state's need for energy. That is the pinnacle of our solar dream. In other words, solar power still is a dream.

But KJC is just one of many dozens or hundreds of solar farms, right?

Wrong. As of today, the Earth has five large-scale solar facilities. Further, they were all built in the 1970s and 80s. Solar power technology exists, but it is not as popular as you might think.

"We run our plants to generate revenue for the ownership of the plants," says Rib. Solar power just isn't as profitable an energy venture as the mainstream fossil fuels, nuclear reactors and hydroelectric damns.

Not only is it not as profitable, it is veritably unprofitable, and no one can be expected to run a company that loses money. Scratch that -- they might do so if they were to receive a government subsidy. Let's go ask the sitting president.

The president did not reply to my request for an interview. However, he has issued several statements regarding this energy crisis. He admits that we do have quite the little problem over here, and would be more than willing to champion some new oil and coal plants. Beyond that, he tells us that this problem was the result of poor planning, and that it's going to get worse before it gets better. He didn't really say much about solar energy.

We could ask doomed California Gov. Gray Davis for help. In a press release he has taken some seemingly fast action. As it turns out, he's done all sorts of stuff in response to this crisis, which I will elaborate upon in greater detail next week.

Let us return to KJC and its solar plant.

"We are acutely aware of the power crisis," Rib explains. "[Southern California Edison] has not paid us or any other renewable 'qualifying facility' for any of our power delivered since November of last year."

Bankrupting the people who generate power must be a very "indirect" solution to our energy problems. One might even call it "downright stupid." I asked Rib how KJC is holding out.

"There are about 5,000 MW of qualifying facilities, and some have already gone out of business for lack of payment." He doesn't seem too happy. "We can hold on a few more months. We hear that SCE will begin payments soon, which should keep us in business." Rib goes on to say that, due to soaring natural gas prices, the supplementary gas generators at his plant have been inoperative since late last year.

We are in a big mess that will not end anytime soon -- just as Mr. President says. Next week I'll discuss the energy crisis itself in detail. For now, I want to leave you with a few thoughts about solar power.

The technology exists to build and maintain solar power at reasonable prices. Different types of solar generation would allow for productive plants to exist throughout the country, even in climates such as Seattle's. Reasonable as that may be, however, it is still going to be far more expensive than coal and oil. You must decide if you want to pay more for clean power, or less for dirty. Don't try and pull the wool over my eyes, either. There's a reason we still use the coal.

Fossil fuels made this country great. They provided the energy that allowed our rising stars and stripes to become the world power. However, simply step outside and observe our buses and note the differences between diesel and electric modes. I feel that fossil fuels are a godsend that's day has passed. It's time for us to use mature fuels.

For more information, visit KJC's Web site at: www.kjcsolar.com/.