Solar season is here

Now that summer is here (or at least the unofficial "summer" that starts after Memorial Day), thoughts for many people with a mind on energy turn toward solar power. In fact, it's one of the most popular topics in my email box.

First question: does it work in Western Washington? Yes, we actually have plenty of sun for making either solar photovoltaic systems (which turn light into electricity) or solar hot water heating systems work pretty well. Is it the same as sun in Phoenix? No, but our sun isn't bad. In Central Washington, where we have our Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility, the sun is about the same as Houston, Texas.

Two things account for solar working better here than conventional wisdom (or obvious humor) might have you believe. Number one is that even on an overcast day, the amount of light coming through the clouds is more than you'd think, and solar is really more about light than about heat. (In fact, in extreme heat some kinds of solar systems become less efficient). Number two is that while our solar production falls off during our cold, dark winter months, we make up for some of that loss by having very long days from late April through late September thanks to our Northern latitude.

Washington law just became more solar-friendly as well, with the legislature passing a law that prohibits neighborhood homeowners associations from prohibiting solar panels due to a community covenant. According to the New York Times, this has been a stopping point in some regions of the country.

As we roll into June and July a number of local organizations will be sponsoring solar tours, where you can see solar installations at homes and businesses and talk to installers.

Right now, PSE has some 420 customers with grid-connected solar systems -- more than double the 200 who were grid-connected in 2007. A small number, but with pretty impressive growth.