At 85°C, you can store around 10kWh of solar in your water heater. At PG&E power prices, that's worth about $5/day. This is a lot cheaper then batteries, though admittedly less flexible.
Honest question about the dead "Bitcoin" comment.
Would consuming solar to mine Bitcoin generate more heat (wrt. global warming) than simply letting the rays heat the earth directly? If so, by what factor?
This is just blogspam of the LA Times "analysis" they link to.
Also, the LA Times piece is itself just slanted anti-renewables propaganda.
They make selling solar to neighbouring states sound downright nefarious.
California is actively working to address this and the data shows signs it is arguably improving the relevant metrics.
https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/energy-almanac/califo...
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/texas-california-top...
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/califo...