Solar Energy Blog

Solar photovoltaic system costs have fallen steadily for decades...Meanwhile, projected costs for construction of new nuclear plants have risen steadily over the last decade, and they continue to rise. - John blackburn, ncwarn.org

The nuclear power industry has long touted its safety record and the low power generation costs. The Fukushima disaster raises serious questions about both of these claims. Accidents at nuclear power plants may be rare, but when they occur the cost and the economic impact  can be almost unimaginable. The economic cost of the Chernobyl accident has been estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

Crisis in Japan

The ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan reminds us of the substantial risks associated with nuclear power, and the corresponding benefits of distributed solar energy.

The claims of low per-kWh generating costs for nuclear power ring are similarly hollow. Published figures generally do not take into account the costs of decommissioning plants, storing spent fuel rods, or the security requirements associated with transporting, using and reprocessing fissile material. At this point, it looks like all six reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant will  need to be completely rebuilt. Even if radiation leaks are minimal and no human lives are lost, the nuclear industry is likely to see substantially increased operating costs from higher insurance rates, design analysis and retrofits, and increased staffing and regulatory oversight.

Solar electric systems have all of the attractive benefits of nuclear power, including zero emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. They also have no moving parts, giving them high reliability, low operating costs and multi-decade lifespans. Nuclear and fossil fuel plants also consume large amounts of water to power their steam turbines and for cooling. Solar systems do not require this scarce resource, except perhaps for the occasional cleaning.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of solar systems is distributed power generation. If a solar system at one residence or business is damaged by a storm or accident and goes offline, the power systems at other properties are unaffected. Contrast this with centralized utility power plants. When they go offline thousands or even millions of people can be affected. The Fukushima plants provide at least fifteen percent of the electricity for the Tokyo Electric Power Company  (TEPCO), and a significantly larger percentage of the company’s base load. TEPCO provides electricity to over 40 million people, who now face the prospect of rolling blackouts and other disruptions. A damaged solar system can generally be replaced in a few days or weeks, even if it were to be totally destroyed. By contrast, it will take years for TEPCO to plan, permit and build new utility plants to replace the Fukushima reactors, regardless of what technology they select.

While politicians and government agencies in the United States and abroad have begun revisiting nuclear safety protocol, isn't it time to put serious consideration into how all of us could benefit from a safe, renewable, energy source like solar?

• Nuclear accident clean up costs and economic impacts eclipse whatever the plant may have made by staggering amounts.
• Claims that nuclear energy is cost effective, do not take into account spent fuel clean up costs or increased operating costs due to malfunctions.
• Solar generated electricity is environmentally friendly, reliable, with low operating costs and long equipment life spans.
• A catastrophic solar system failure can be replaced quickly and efficiently and effect only a minimal portion of the populous.

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Special thanks to Paul Anderson - VP, Business Development and General Counsel, for providing his expertise on the nuclear vs solar debate. Paul may be contacted directly via  Office: (866) 813-3581 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (866) 813-3581      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or Email: paul.anderson@syndicatedsolar.com