As a homeowner and resident of Squamish, I would like to comment on the Nov. 12 letter by Matt Blackman regarding council discussions on solar energy.
Blackman correctly stated that mean solar PV potential in Squamish is approximately 900 to 1,000 kwhr/kw annually. However, what he failed to mention is that current technology is only able to use approximately 25 per cent of that capacity (Source: EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2015) and therefore must be backed up by other energy sources costing even more money. A closer look at the EIA information provides a total levelized cost (capital plus operating) of approximately $125 per megawatt hour, as compared to $75 per megawatt hour for natural gas-fired turbines and $100 per megawatt hour for gas-fired turbines with carbon sequestration. The capacity factor for gas turbines is roughly 87 per cent, or about 3.5 times higher than solar PV. Even more interesting is the capacity factor (90 per cent) and cost ($90 per megawatt hour) for nuclear power.
I would also note that Ontario Hydro One generates the bulk of its power from nuclear plants while having used this source to help completely eliminate coal-fired generation.
I’m supportive of continued research into improvements in solar (and wind) power generation, but I believe Susan Chapelle was correct to voice concerns about the district spending any time or energy on solar generation right now. Squamish should step back from the bleeding edge of this technology and keep its hands off the municipal piggybank until solar generation has demonstrated a higher capacity factor and lower overall cost.
Bill Mracek, P Eng.
Squamish
