[clug] OT: Solar power recommendations and advice

[Andrew Loughhead]

Michael Still wrote:
> It is my understanding that you can't just turn coal power plants up 
> and down... I believe they normally run at the maximum output required 
> in the daily cycle, and various companies buy the unneeded power at a 
> cheaper rate.
On the electric car interview I posted the other day [1] this fact was 
used to support the overnight charging of electric cars, as producing a 
net CO2 reduction from electric car use, in comparison to petrol.  The 
power and CO2 are already being produced anyway, so the electric car 
lets the community make use of it.  Presumably its only true if some of 
the overnight power is not doing anything useful already.

1. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/latenightlive/stories/2010/2873530.htm