California Fires and PV [RE-wrenches]

[Joel Davidson]

The PV system was working fine because neighborhood power was restored by
hard-working Southern California Edison crews. The utility work crews were
gone, but firefighters were patrolling for tree roots still smoldering. We
saw a lot of hand-painted "Thank you for saving our home" signs. On the
return trip south on Interstate 15 to Interstate 10, we did see large
sections of high voltage power lines burned down but no crews working.

Regarding people not being on "our side," for many years we have observed
mild to strong pro-solar support from PV system neighbors, utility field
workers, firefighters, police, building inspectors and the general public.
The few people who express anti-solar attitudes often change when their
views are made public. Very few people want to be known at anti-solar or
against energy self-reliance.

I have a few pictures (nothing morbid) that I can share with wrenches who
contact me off-line.

mlafferty at universalenergies.com wrote:

> Joel D. et al.:
>
> >  The PV system was working fine.
>
> Please excuse the "Devil's Advocate" in this, but I believe it is
> important.... We can never be too sure "who's watching"... Well, I can,
> to some extent, and please believe me when I say, "They are not all on
> 'our side'..."
>
> Based upon your obviously positive observation that the "system was
> working fine", which I am glad to hear personally and professionally...
> As a "Devil's Advocate", I am left to wonder.... "If the rest of the
> neighborhood was "destroyed" (most unfortunate), and the PV Systems are
> "working fine", why is the Utility Electric Supply still "up and
> running"?  Shouldn't Utility Supply to the neighborhood have been cut
> off?"
>
> ('Utility Guy' Perspective): "Seems to me that, if homes are burned to
> the foundation as portrayed in the media, that would include the PVC
> Electric Service Risers & Conductors... We would have turned off 'the
> switch' to allow for reconstruction.  Sounds like an 'Island' to me.
> These things aren't as 'safe' as they are advertised to be.  Hmmmmm.
> Maybe we should have a closer look.... Etc. Etc."
>
> Your message, to the "un-initiated", could and may be taken as such,
> though I'll wait to see the "feedback" on the "other side" before
> passing judgement.  I hope that it "slips by", frankly.  We don't need
> another "inquisition".... Thanks for posting on the weekend here!
> Sincerely.
>
> While I personally know from experience and testing that it is
> "impossible" for a Sunny-Boy to "Island", the "other side" doesn't....
> Yet.  By nature, training (sic), culture, and experience, they are going
> to regard anything less than "Fully Dispatchable, 100MW or Greater,
> Non-Renewable Fueled Generation" as the only source of "trustworthy
> generation", even though the "2003 Blackout" proved otherwise.  FACT!
>
> The Wrenches is a tremendous resource for anyone interested in
> Renewables!  I believe we all agree on that.  A personal THANK YOU!!!!
> to all who participate, and especially our Esteemed Moderator!  "How "
> and "What" we say can and is taken "out of context" at times.... My
> "tirades" are no exception.... Please understand that and be sensitive
> to it.
>
> What seems like, "We all know this".... Isn't "known" by all.  What we
> believe and know, is "not the norm" in Utility Circles....
>
> Just my two-cents since I didn't win the Lotto last night.... Dammit!
> OK.... Wednesday night then!
>
> Two Palms and a Hammock!
>
> Matt Lafferty
> Universal Energies Institute
> mlafferty at universalenergies.com
> (916) 422-9772
> (916) 628-7694 Cell
> (916) 914-2247 Fax
> www.universalenergies.com
>
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