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hackofalltradesJan 31, 2012
Last I heard (more than a year ago) there was a company in CA trying to make thin-film solar roof shingles. But as soon as they tried to speed up the production process to economical levels the solar efficiency dropped.
When these can be manufactured, along with better batteries, this will be the way to go for commuter cars. Don't think the technology is there yet.
thetimchannelFeb 1, 2012
Germany already spends a billion Euro PER MONTH on solar installations. It's not 'technology waiting to developed', it's technology that's being deployed.
norman619Feb 1, 2012
Have you actually looked at how it is being used? It's not their PRIMARY source of power. Solar is a toy supplementary tech at best.
thetimchannelFeb 4, 2012
German is committed to shutting down all nukes post Fukishima. They also do a huge bunch of wind farming here. The solutions are here for those folks who wish to do a little pre-emptive planning. That excludes the US of course.
blogsyarihFeb 1, 2012
solar - alternative power source...but still new
norman619Feb 1, 2012
An alternative to what exactly? Sure as hell not to Nuclear or fossil fuel burning power plants.
badsyntaxFeb 1, 2012
Solar simply isn't ready yet. Until I can buy a solar cell, and have it be dramatically cheaper over 30 years than electricity, they will never catch on.
Perhaps electricity prices will go up at some point, making the transition easier.
Personally I don't think solar is the answer, I think its a band-aid. Our power consumption is going up exponentially, and sure, right now we can put a bunch of solar cells that cover the Sahara and power the world, eventually that much more heat absorbed by the massive amounts of solar cells we would need will help exacerbate global warming. Plus, 1 big volcano or a some wacky weather patterns and we could loose huge amounts of solar energy. I think wind power is the same way, except eventually enough big windmills and it could actually slow down airflow downstream.
I think our best bet is geothermal or thorium reactors.
TopForxexBrokerApr 19, 2012
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hackofalltradesFeb 2, 2012
So many people making the same mistake.
Solar doesn't have to be able to replace ALL other energy sources to be "ready". It just has to be the best choice to replace SOME of them.
I see the same mistake made by people claiming the electric car isn't "ready" and won't be for X-number of years because it can't be used on long trips. So what?? The electric car doesn't have to replace ALL cars to be a great commuter car.
Solar doesn't have to replace Gas/Nuclear/Coal to be a great way for me to heat my home and hot water. And I'm looking forward to (soon, not decades) using it to power my commute.
Have you ever noticed that when the nay-sayers tell you an Alternative source won't pay for itself for years, their figures always charge for the whole thing? What I mean is, I replaced my gas furnace/electric AC with Geothermal. I started saving money immediately, not 20 years on. Why? Because I needed a new furnace anyway! Their figures include the hidden assumption that I'm going to rip out and throw away a perfectly good new gas furnace and replace it. Duh!
Just look at the next article you read about how long it will take the money you save on gas to pay for your electric car. Was your next gasoline car going to be free?
BrushTeethFeb 1, 2012
How about we de-evolve. much more efficient.
norman619Feb 1, 2012
Devolution doesn't exist. It's a junk term. Evolution is simply change.
BrushTeethFeb 2, 2012
hey f**k you buddy