The Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon, Part 2

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, we continue with part 2 of The Red Knight and the Dawn of the Solar Dragon. Gorin, The Red Knight has invented a technology to replace dragon power with short-sighted fossil fuel power. But can Gorin quietly replace hundreds of fire-breathing dragons without getting burned and starting a Second Dragon War? Maybe not...

True Solar Takeaways

• Unions are truly a part of our utility energy operations and construction. They bargain for good prevailing wages and benefits, and they can also get involved in energy politics. For example, utility unions largely oppose rooftop solar and will lobby for legislation and regulations that support large-scale solar (and their members). They also support legislation and regulations that disincentivizes rooftop solar. Why? Because small installation companies aren't part of the union and because they fear that rooftop solar will decrease utility solar jobs. In fact, we need both rooftop and utility solar in order to fight climate change.
• Likewise, coal, gas, and oil unions oppose solar because they also know that their jobs will decrease. But the clean energy writing is on the wall and their leadership understands that they will eventually need to support retraining their workers for clean energy and other industries.
• Energy wonks often refer to the cost of energy over time as the "Levelized Cost of Energy" or LCOE. It allows them to compare the total cost of a solar plant to, say, a gas or coal plant. Today, solar has the lowest LCOE. 
• Milanium is an imaginary rare-earth metal. However, solar and clean energy is in great need of many rare-earth metals and not-so-are minerals. These include silicon, the base element for making solar cells for solar panels, and lithium for making rechargeable batteries. 
• Peaker power plants are always on standby, so the cost to use them is very expensive. Utilities use speakers for backup power on hot days when more people are running their air conditioners.
• Solar technology is now mature and reliable. There are over 4 million solar installations in the U.S. and millions more around the world. PERC and TopCon are the current leading solar panel technologies. Perovskite solar panels haven't been commercialized yet, but they're close. Once commercialized, they will make solar panels less expensive and generate more power per square inch.
• Lithium-iron phosphate batteries are becoming more popular for home backup power.  However, most home batteries use Lithium-ion chemistries.
• The chemistry formulas for iron-air batteries are now being commercialized, allowing for affordable and long-lasting storage of solar and wind power. These batteries can provide several days' worth of stored energy, rather than just a few hours.
• Wind power is already an inexpensive and reliable renewable power.
• Geothermal energy is a promising new source of renewable energy. It harnesses heat from the Earth to create steam that powers electric turbines. Geothermal power plants currently exist in Iceland and Sonoma, California, providing base power for cities.

• Visit ProbablyTrueSolar.com to sign up for the newsletter to learn about new episodes and live solar storytelling events.
• Learn how sponsors can be a part of Probably True Solar Stories and tell their own creative stories.
• Follow @SolarFred and/or @ProbTrueSolar on Twitter to discuss episodes
• Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share!