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Supply and demand (slrpnk.net)
submitted 2 months ago by Track_Shovel@slrpnk.net to c/memes@slrpnk.net
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[-] carpelbridgesyndrome@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

There are two parts of this problem:

  1. If you are connected to the grid and using it you need to pay for it somehow. This is not a capitalisim thing this is a maintenance issue. Deploying lots of rooftop solar reduces the amount people are paying the grid operators for the same infrastructure as before while they are still using it. This could be solved by making the grid operators public utilities again and charging taxes instead of billing electric rates. Either way rooftop solar owners are going to need to pay grid fees unless they are entirely disconnected from the grid (this is rarely ever the case).
  2. It creates issues where generation may outstrip load as well as transmission and storage capacity. A lot of this can be solved with more investment but if you are earning less of power sales and still need to maintain everything this can be financially challenging.

There is also a third problem where home solar isn't centrally planned resulting in cases where utilities need to delay homeowners' solar installations while they figure out grid capacity.

[-] Taleya@aussie.zone 6 points 2 months ago

Uh, most countries have a base utility fee that's charged, and then usage on top of that.

Tried that one?

Most of summer our bills are negative use because we have a fuckoff huge solar array, but we still pay "property charges"

[-] meekah@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 2 months ago

How about just decoupling grid fees from electricity costs? As in a base fee and in turn a cheaper price on electricity used

[-] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 4 points 2 months ago

That seems to be what is happening in some states. They have a minimum price which is effectively the cost of hooking up to the grid.

[-] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

I don't see a problem with being disconnected from the grid. That's even preferable I think. The only reason that isn't already the case is bcz of calitalism.

[-] bountygiver@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 months ago

Then separate the infrastructure fee, my family switched to solar and has since paid $0 on usage, but still pays electricity bill in form of the minimum cost to maintain infrastructure.

Also with a big grid, there's will be enough industry consuming large amount of power during daylight hours for a long time, that's why with variable power rates power is still more expensive during daylight hours, you don't have to worry about the generation outstripping load for a long time, and if we hit that it would be a good news as we can all focus on storing power and phase out fossil fuels.

this post was submitted on 23 Mar 2026
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