https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/california-water-storage-17719807.php
Californians approved billions for new water storage. Why hasn’t it gotten built?

In 2014, during the throes of last decade’s drought, California voters approved billions of dollars for infrastructure that would catch and store much-needed water from winter storms. The hope was to amass water in wet times and save it for dry times.

Nearly 10 years later, none of the major storage projects, which include new and expanded reservoirs, has gotten off the ground.

Lund and others say the real promise of the ballot measure may be in its prescription for underground water storage. The idea of channeling runoff during wet periods into aquifers where cities and farms can pump it out is generally a lot less expensive than building reservoirs and has greater potential.

The amount of underground space currently available for putting water may be three times the state’s total reservoir capacity, according to one estimate.

 

Why hasn’t it gotten built?

'Cause they didn't build the train, either?

 

Californians approved billions for new water storage. Why hasn’t it gotten built?

Well I figure it this way. It's one thing to approve billions of dollars but another thing to come up with the money. Californians are taxed and then taxed more but they also have some pretty big expenditures. Eventually the well runs dry no pun intended for California's water problems. Unlike the US government you can't spend money you really don't have on a gamble you will have the money. When you contract to build a reservoir, road or anything the contractors expect paid and no money is no work started or completed. The I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today simply doesn't fly. This is my best guess anyway. My answer was always "beats the hell outta me lieutenant".

Ron

 

The snow is on record pace. Must be because I got solar panels. Back in 2014 I bought a big snowblower to handle the snow and ever since with few exceptions it has hardly been worth running the machine. This last year I got solar. Now we've got snow. 16 inches in my area so far whereas in the past several years I'd hardly see 4 or 5 inches total in the course of the season. It must be my fault. Everything is my fault.

 

It must be my fault. Everything is my fault.

Your wife has trained you well. Too well?

 

The snow is on record pace. Must be because I got solar panels. Back in 2014 I bought a big snowblower to handle the snow and ever since with few exceptions it has hardly been worth running the machine. This last year I got solar. Now we've got snow. 16 inches in my area so far whereas in the past several years I'd hardly see 4 or 5 inches total in the course of the season. It must be my fault. Everything is my fault.

So Tony let me ask you how are those panels working out overall? My reasoning here is my sister's house located in a north Columbus, Ohio suburb would likely be a good candidate. Large two story colonial with an ideal southern exposure. Downside is bitter winters with show and ice and while not as bad as up here in Cleveland where I am winters are grey so even when not snow covered sunshine is limited. Wondering about maintenance cost etc. The southern exposure is wide open unobstructed. Apparently Google did a drive by when she was doing renovations. The roof space is plentiful.



Anything on how the panels are working out for you is appreciated.

Thank You a Bunch
Ron

 

So Tony let me ask you how are those panels working out overall?

Hard to tell exactly how they're working out with the low sun angle and snow cover. They were installed in December and turned on just this month.

 

Your wife has trained you well. Too well?

Yeah - uh - let's not go there.

 

How's the weather ? ? ? Not this bad.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lbDuoaCTVAE

 

Folks up in Laval Quebec Canida
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8ZeXbjf9G5s

 

Back to normal here... The usual ~20-30° day/night swing in temp.

 

Hard to tell exactly how they're working out with the low sun angle and snow cover. They were installed in December and turned on just this month.
View attachment 285507

Thanks for sharing. Guess it will take time to really get a handle on how well it all works out for you.

Thank You Again
Ron

 

Hard to tell exactly how they're working out with the low sun angle and snow cover. They were installed in December and turned on just this month.
View attachment 285507

ENPHASE is a very nice solar panel/inverter technology. Good choice.

 

ENPHASE is a very nice solar panel/inverter technology. Good choice.

Good to know.

Ron

 

Good to know.

Ron

https://www.cleanenergyreviews.info/blog/microinverters
https://support.enphase.com/s/article/The-Enphase-Microinverter-Family

 

Adding that kind of load to any roof takes a bit of engineering load calculations for safety and building code requirements qualification. Do any of the many installers even know what a load calculation is and what the local code requirements are? Personally, I don't like roof penetrations as they are possible sources of leakage. Still, I'd much rather have it on the roof than as a lawn ornament to have to mow and weed around. What happens when your roof starts leaking and needs replacement? I keep seeing the ads for "Free Installation" in Georgia and wonder just how much that "Free" costs me. Installation, "Necessary Options", and maintenance. Does it have any warranties that would be collectible in 3-20 years after the installation contractor has gone out of business?

 

ENPHASE is a very nice solar panel/inverter technology. Good choice.

That's what took us over four years to decide. Our neighbors have chosen other fly-by-night sources and haven't gotten the kind of returns promised.

Do any of the many installers even know what a load calculation is and what the local code requirements are?

Structural engineer did come and look at the roof rafters.

13 panels face south on the garage are an 18.43˚ angle. The space on the top row are for skylights installed long before the solar panels were decided upon.
7 panels face west on the house are at a 9.46˚ angle.

Current weather conditions - light snow and heavy cloud cover.

 

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/yakutsk-russia-cold-snap-freeze-intl-hnk/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/17/weather/siberia-cold-weather
-80°F in Yakutsk.

 

 

They have weather in Japan?

Will wonders never cease.