Perhaps not for the heaviest industry but for up to medium heavy you can come close. For example Siemens Sacramento locomotive plant generates 80% of its total electricity needs from rooftop. Don't take it from me, read Lincoln Electric's write up here: [www.lincolnelectric.com]




Rich Hunn Wrote:
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> Dog, tail, chase!
> I think that the roof top solar is a splendid idea
> if the real cost (non-subsidized) makes sense
> in terms of savings. BUT, large scale industrial
> users (Alcoa, Nucor, et al) lack the roof area
> o provide power for very needed industries, hence
> the requirement for a grid. Even with battery
> storage even the residential user will require
> grid access at some time or the other. If you
> take
> away the subsidy that the residential user
> provides for the industrial base and force full
> costs
> on the industry you're going to put them in a very
> non-competitive situation. Probably won't need
> you working for them either. There's a balance to
> be achieved here which needs some clear heads
> to determine.