nickelfire
Global Steward
slighted and scorned
Posts: 142
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Solar
Jun 19, 2006 23:02:46 GMT -5
Post by nickelfire on Jun 19, 2006 23:02:46 GMT -5
Solar is completely hyped as the next major source of energy for the world. I know from others that its expensive to put up the panels and maintain them, let alone being very expensive in themselves. But with all the 'Solar' talk going around, can it really be that inefficient that you need too many for just one house, as I've heard? Or perhaps the process has been more perfected recently? I don't think it has much of a future to give us mass energy, at least not a near future. But I really don't know, what do you all think?
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Solar
Feb 10, 2008 12:24:32 GMT -5
Post by know knot on Feb 10, 2008 12:24:32 GMT -5
Solar is completely hyped as the next major source of energy for the world. I know from others that its expensive to put up the panels and maintain them, let alone being very expensive in themselves. But with all the 'Solar' talk going around, can it really be that inefficient that you need too many for just one house, as I've heard? Or perhaps the process has been more perfected recently? I don't think it has much of a future to give us mass energy, at least not a near future. But I really don't know, what do you all think? At work, we frequently visit this guys house for maintenance and upgrades, who prides himself with his solar energy knowledge. He currently has well over $200,000 invested and knows every last thing there is to know about the subject. I asked him how much it would cost for an average family living in the desert w/ lots of sun, to install a fully-functional system. He said, he'd have to look up the details but somewhere around $80,000-$150,000. Now if you work out what the average family electric bill is a year i come to a sum of about $6000. Thats $600 a month for six cold months and $400 for the warmer months. This of course is a bloated assumption. For a system costing $80,000 or more would in my calculations take over 10-20 years to pay off @ current electricity prices the way they are. Over those 10-20 years you can easily add in another 10k just in maintenance. So i think to myself, well, once the system is in, i wont have to worry about rising energy costs and power outages. But if the "Solar Energy" buzz is really skyrocketing like it is said to be believed, in 10 years when your system is old and deteriorating they'll have something far superior in the works. IMO, i don't believe it is a viable cost effective source of energy at this present time.
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Solar
Feb 10, 2008 16:53:53 GMT -5
Post by Magnet Man on Feb 10, 2008 16:53:53 GMT -5
Solar may be viable if we find a way to pipe it from stations orbiting in near space.
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murex
Global Steward
Posts: 117
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Solar
Feb 11, 2008 15:04:42 GMT -5
Post by murex on Feb 11, 2008 15:04:42 GMT -5
It is getting better, they have materials now that absorb all wavelengths, and this material can be spray-on. You just need another component.
It will eventually become better and more cost-effective. I think it would be stupid to abandon it at such an early stage.
If everyone no longer has an electric bill, and no need for fossil fuels, the standard of living can go up, and we would be more prosperous.
My ideal world would be such a place.
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nickelfire
Global Steward
slighted and scorned
Posts: 142
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Solar
Feb 13, 2008 15:38:04 GMT -5
Post by nickelfire on Feb 13, 2008 15:38:04 GMT -5
Solar may be viable if we find a way to pipe it from stations orbiting in near space. It is getting better, they have materials now that absorb all wavelengths, and this material can be spray-on. You just need another component.
It will eventually become better and more cost-effective. I think it would be stupid to abandon it at such an early stage.
If everyone no longer has an electric bill, and no need for fossil fuels, the standard of living can go up, and we would be more prosperous.
My ideal world would be such a place. I'm sure solar has a future but if you check out my thread here, www.psychegenetics.proboards27.com/index.cgi?board=energy&action=display&thread=1156823311you might get some perspective on it's immediate relevance.
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Solar
Apr 17, 2009 17:31:01 GMT -5
Post by androgyn on Apr 17, 2009 17:31:01 GMT -5
Solar may be viable if we find a way to pipe it from stations orbiting in near space. You are right on target MM! Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) is seeking approval from regulators to enter into a power purchase agreement with Solaren Corp. that would involve the purchase of power generated by solar panels in Earth's orbit. Solaren would generate the energy from these panels in orbit and then convert it to radio-frequency energy for transmission to a receiving station, PG&E explains in a company blog. From this receiving station, located in Fresno County, Calif., the energy would be converted into electricity and enter PG&E’s electrical grid. According to the utility, advantages of this method include increased solar energy available (8-10 times greater than that of Earth); a lack of interference from clouds, night, the atmosphere or seasons; and no need to acquire any additional land, other than the energy receiving station. SOURCE: Pacific Gas & Electric Co. I would like to add that solar technology is getting better and better and eventually will get so good as to be more than just viable...As the secretary of Energy in Washington recently told the twelve top solar companies invited to meet with him, "Solar is my number one horse in the race for renewable energy". He is not a stupid man and his eyes are clear on the future... I'm all for it as it is the most benign and simplest of all the renewable energy sources out there right now...One hour of sunlight with enough panels could generate all of earth's energy needs all day! I'm in this race to stay. If anyone would like to join me take a look at www.solpow.net my link to CitizenRe Solar, one of the companies invited to Washington that is going to change the way we look at solar!
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Solar
Jul 27, 2009 14:43:54 GMT -5
Post by androgyn on Jul 27, 2009 14:43:54 GMT -5
Solar is completely hyped as the next major source of energy for the world. I know from others that its expensive to put up the panels and maintain them, let alone being very expensive in themselves. But with all the 'Solar' talk going around, can it really be that inefficient that you need too many for just one house, as I've heard? Or perhaps the process has been more perfected recently? I don't think it has much of a future to give us mass energy, at least not a near future. But I really don't know, what do you all think? Keep watching solar as it becomes a major player in the renewable energy race (this according to our Secretary of Energy Wu in office right now). The fact is the techonology is moving so fast and getting so good now that its use will be mandated very quickly...
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Solar
Jul 27, 2009 14:45:27 GMT -5
Post by androgyn on Jul 27, 2009 14:45:27 GMT -5
Raleigh, N.C. — Land in southeast Raleigh could soon be home to a 1.3-megawatt solar power plant that would provide enough electricity for some 1,000 homes.
The project would be similar to a solar farm near the SAS campus on Trenton Road in Cary.
“It feeds energy directly onto Progress Energy power lines, and it is used by neighbors and the SAS facility,” said Bob Kingery, co-founder and director of operations for Southern Energy Management.
The 1-megawatt system at SAS tracks the sun through the day, generating enough clean, green electricity to power about 200 homes.
SAS worked with Morrisville-based Southern Energy Management to build the farm last year. It is one of the largest solar energy projects in North Carolina with more than 5,000 solar panels generating months of megawatt hours.
Earlier this month, the Raleigh City Council agreed to lease 10 acres of land for a similar solar plant at the Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Southern Energy Management is teaming with Progress Energy to build that plant, which could be operation by early 2010. It is a move that could pay off for the city.
"They'll have the opportunity to buy the system, and then be the long-term owner and beneficiary of the power that it generates and the income stream that it generates,” Kingery said.
Progress Energy will own and operate the plant, which is the fifth one it has announced under North Carolina law that mandates use of renewable energy resources.
State law requires Progress and other utilities to begin producing power from renewable sources. Progress Energy is exploring solar, wind, biowaste and other options to produce power from renewable sources. By 2012, companies have to get 3.5 percent of all retail sales from so-called renewables. The requirement jumps to 12.5 percent by 2021.
"As the price of energy rises, as the price of electricity rises, I think we will see solar becoming more and more main stream,” Kingery said.
The project is expected to create some 15 jobs. The City Council will take a final vote on the agreement later this year.
Reporter: Brian Shrader Copyright 2009 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved.
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Solar
Jul 27, 2009 14:47:57 GMT -5
Post by androgyn on Jul 27, 2009 14:47:57 GMT -5
If Valley Electric was intelligent they would create a similar project forFishlake Valley...
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