There is a push to zone much of the floor of the Owen's Valley for solar development -

Learn more here: http://www.deepestvalley.com/

Not sure how y'all feel about views like these being affected, but I don't like it. I'm not against solar, but prefer it be located on areas already disturbed, and goodness knows there is plenty of that already in Southern CA.

http://www.summitpost.org/sierra-100-mi ... eak/448920

Why can't people mount their solar panels to their roof? I find it funny that the people pushing for solar are also the ones pushing for a cleaner environment; yet they can destroy thousands of square miles of desert to put in a few panels.

I would like to see an engineering analysis, for the cost per household for solar energy if it's self-provided, or provided through a utility with square miles of panels.I know that analysis is out there.

A start:
http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2013/5306.html

We live in Vegas, and considered a roof-top installation for years -- but the initial outlay (>$20k) is daunting. We opted to spend the money on other passive energy-saving measures (insulation e.g.) and more efficient AC.

I'm guessing there is a much greater redundancy of electrical components with individual installations.

It is a little disturbing to see each local playa get filled with panels. Some years ago, after 1000 square miles of BLM land was released for solar development, I looked at the real production of power per acre. I figured if all those 1000 square miles were used for a mix of PV and steam-generation solar plants, they could replace only 3% of US energy consumption at best.

We are having the same problem with commercial solar installations cluttering up an otherwise uncluttered landscape in eastern San Diego county. If one has an all-electric home and lives in a sunny environment, home-owner installations are most cost effective if one qualifies for a 30% federal tax credit as did I. My ground installation will pay for itself in 12 years. (I've done the math based on the first two years of performance.) The idea is to stay out of the more expensive tier 3 and 4 billing. If one over-builds their installation and produces more than they need, the electric utility will buy it back at a wholesale rate, but that is not enough to generate a return on investment. In L.A., if one attempts adding onto their home greater than 500 square feet, they can be required to install solar in order to obtain a building permit. Home solar is cost effective under many circumstances. Commercial solar installations are an eye sore and I am absolutely against them, especially if they are visible to local homeowners who will not only suffer a loss in the otherwise pristine landscape, but also lost value in their home.