I am, rather was a big fan of solar power. I love the idea of having some degree of independence if not complete from utility bills. As a high schooler in the late 80s I wanted to “invent” a solar powered hover craft to replace cars. Paved roads could be ripped up and replaced with grass land hover paths. I provide this to show that I have long had enthusiasm over the idea of solar while lacking in practical knowledge of it in use.
A few years after we bought our house just across the river from Tokyo, we began receiving mailings from our city, prefecture and I believe national governments extolling the virtues of solar and providing subsidies for having solar panels installed on our home. I was very interested. Two people I knew had them on their homes and enjoyed receiving a small sum from the electric company rather than bills from them. Enthusiastic as I was, I nonetheless embarked upon learning as much as I could on the realities of having them installed.
First thing I looked into was how long will it take for them to be paid off with the energy savings they promise. At that time, with the maximum subsidies it would have taken 20 years. With this knowledge, I looked into the serviceable life of solar panels. At the time, only the most exorbitantly expensive models could be reasonably expected to last that long if not damaged by a hail storm, earthquake or something else. But what about the yellow sand storms we get most years? Zero information on that. Enthusiasm waning, I applied observations from along my street. In the few years we had then been resident in the burbs, over half a dozen old houses had been torn down and replaced by small, multistory apartment buildings. The second story of our home gets good sunlight now, but the house to the south of us is old and has an unusual for this part of Japan, massively large back yard that is overgrown most of the year. It is likely that that house and land will be sold to developers and given the land area, a more substantial apartment building or complex erected on the land which would block all direct sunlight from our roof. After discussing it with my wife, we opted against solar panels.
I would subsequently learn that they are a fire hazard, though not in the manner some other commenters here brought up. They provided even more concerns that frankly, I feel I should have realized on my own.
However, this has not extinguished my enthusiasm for solar. As it happened, just prior to the last big earthquake to hit the Kanto area of Japan and caused the horrific tsunami, I had purchased solar charged batteries. These were regular sized batteries that came with a solar charger for them. Took DAYS to charge and minutes to be exhausted. Did nothing to alleviate the battery shortage of the immediate post quake/tsunami era.
Still, not giving up hope, a few years ago I bought a solar charged folding light for less than $20.. The light is a LED and it is on opposite side of the small solar panel and is set in a partially opaque plastic cube that folds to the thickness of a notebook book. This is AWESOME! I do not know how long it takes to fully charge but I have never had one, I later bought more, die on me while camping. One hung from inside the 5 person tent we have throws plenty of light.
Buoyed by this experience I went on to buy a camp fan and portable external battery for my iPads that can be charged both from any standard wall outlet or with the built in solar panels. To fully charge either with the solar panel takes several days in the summer but could be shorter if I were able to keep them in direct sunlight all day. Having a hard time getting them to charge in the winter. I think I need to angle them to get the best aspect of the sun rays upon the panels. Still, it is nice to be able to charge these either the normal way or with sunlight. Both last a long time, providing several hours of heavy use on a single full charge.
Solar power will never be able to replace traditional power generation but can be used to augment it on small, personal scales.
As far as putting stuff in the air goes, I know that there are proposals to block out the sun but have any fools actually begun to? Even if they have, I’d bet that even with the addition of their efforts that all of the emissions of all types by all of humanity throughout our existence is eclipsed in a short time by an eruption of any, single volcano of a specific size. Whatever programs are spraying or emitting stuff into the atmosphere, their efforts are puny by comparison. However, the fact the same people who are forcing us to use solar power instead of traditionally produced power are the same who are also attempting to block out the sun indicates that they are mental midgets or evil beyond comparison….or both.
I put some up, not on the roof, to keep some batteries charged so I can run the water pump, septic system and refrigerators should the power go out. They do what they are supposed to do. A generator would have been better, but not practical at that house.
Interesting...I am aware that they sure aren't saving me any money...the utility company raised tits water bill to compensate! There is also a fee charged for having solar on the utility bill.
No, solar panels are NOT just "useless." Insurance companies refuse to insure houses now with panels on them, especially after even Amazon took them off its roofs:
I have also heard that some fire departments will not enter buildings with panels on the roofs. Even disconnected, with incident light on the panels and flowing water from fighting a fire, there is risk of electrocution.
Another gotcha from the good doctor. Plain speaking, common sense. It's like, from what I hear, these modern windmills. It takes more energy to produce them than they will ever put out. Another green scam. The best part of it-- all these con artists will put themselves out of business.
Going to Vernon Coleman‘s website to buy one of his books results in a statement that the the item selected cannot be sent to your country meaning the United States of America. What is the comment to get around this?
If you go to the US site, instead of the UK one, you may find it somewhat easier to order from, and I'm told, you may actually have a chance at receiving the order this century.
And they look hideous! Almost as hideous as wind farms
Almost!
He doesn't really have that much to say about them, other than they are a useless investment unless you like investing in sure losers.
And just one hail storm away from hazardous waste trash removal.
I am, rather was a big fan of solar power. I love the idea of having some degree of independence if not complete from utility bills. As a high schooler in the late 80s I wanted to “invent” a solar powered hover craft to replace cars. Paved roads could be ripped up and replaced with grass land hover paths. I provide this to show that I have long had enthusiasm over the idea of solar while lacking in practical knowledge of it in use.
A few years after we bought our house just across the river from Tokyo, we began receiving mailings from our city, prefecture and I believe national governments extolling the virtues of solar and providing subsidies for having solar panels installed on our home. I was very interested. Two people I knew had them on their homes and enjoyed receiving a small sum from the electric company rather than bills from them. Enthusiastic as I was, I nonetheless embarked upon learning as much as I could on the realities of having them installed.
First thing I looked into was how long will it take for them to be paid off with the energy savings they promise. At that time, with the maximum subsidies it would have taken 20 years. With this knowledge, I looked into the serviceable life of solar panels. At the time, only the most exorbitantly expensive models could be reasonably expected to last that long if not damaged by a hail storm, earthquake or something else. But what about the yellow sand storms we get most years? Zero information on that. Enthusiasm waning, I applied observations from along my street. In the few years we had then been resident in the burbs, over half a dozen old houses had been torn down and replaced by small, multistory apartment buildings. The second story of our home gets good sunlight now, but the house to the south of us is old and has an unusual for this part of Japan, massively large back yard that is overgrown most of the year. It is likely that that house and land will be sold to developers and given the land area, a more substantial apartment building or complex erected on the land which would block all direct sunlight from our roof. After discussing it with my wife, we opted against solar panels.
I would subsequently learn that they are a fire hazard, though not in the manner some other commenters here brought up. They provided even more concerns that frankly, I feel I should have realized on my own.
However, this has not extinguished my enthusiasm for solar. As it happened, just prior to the last big earthquake to hit the Kanto area of Japan and caused the horrific tsunami, I had purchased solar charged batteries. These were regular sized batteries that came with a solar charger for them. Took DAYS to charge and minutes to be exhausted. Did nothing to alleviate the battery shortage of the immediate post quake/tsunami era.
Still, not giving up hope, a few years ago I bought a solar charged folding light for less than $20.. The light is a LED and it is on opposite side of the small solar panel and is set in a partially opaque plastic cube that folds to the thickness of a notebook book. This is AWESOME! I do not know how long it takes to fully charge but I have never had one, I later bought more, die on me while camping. One hung from inside the 5 person tent we have throws plenty of light.
Buoyed by this experience I went on to buy a camp fan and portable external battery for my iPads that can be charged both from any standard wall outlet or with the built in solar panels. To fully charge either with the solar panel takes several days in the summer but could be shorter if I were able to keep them in direct sunlight all day. Having a hard time getting them to charge in the winter. I think I need to angle them to get the best aspect of the sun rays upon the panels. Still, it is nice to be able to charge these either the normal way or with sunlight. Both last a long time, providing several hours of heavy use on a single full charge.
Solar power will never be able to replace traditional power generation but can be used to augment it on small, personal scales.
As far as putting stuff in the air goes, I know that there are proposals to block out the sun but have any fools actually begun to? Even if they have, I’d bet that even with the addition of their efforts that all of the emissions of all types by all of humanity throughout our existence is eclipsed in a short time by an eruption of any, single volcano of a specific size. Whatever programs are spraying or emitting stuff into the atmosphere, their efforts are puny by comparison. However, the fact the same people who are forcing us to use solar power instead of traditionally produced power are the same who are also attempting to block out the sun indicates that they are mental midgets or evil beyond comparison….or both.
I put some up, not on the roof, to keep some batteries charged so I can run the water pump, septic system and refrigerators should the power go out. They do what they are supposed to do. A generator would have been better, but not practical at that house.
Interesting...I am aware that they sure aren't saving me any money...the utility company raised tits water bill to compensate! There is also a fee charged for having solar on the utility bill.
No, solar panels are NOT just "useless." Insurance companies refuse to insure houses now with panels on them, especially after even Amazon took them off its roofs:
https://rayhorvaththesource.substack.com/p/teacher-who-is-causing-energy-shortages
Did I mention they cost an amount that I would never get back?
I have also heard that some fire departments will not enter buildings with panels on the roofs. Even disconnected, with incident light on the panels and flowing water from fighting a fire, there is risk of electrocution.
That I did not know, but it figures.
Sounds like the only thing to do is give up my off-grid solar and our gardens.
- Sigh...
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Another gotcha from the good doctor. Plain speaking, common sense. It's like, from what I hear, these modern windmills. It takes more energy to produce them than they will ever put out. Another green scam. The best part of it-- all these con artists will put themselves out of business.
Thanks for passing this along Edwin.
It appears so.
Going to Vernon Coleman‘s website to buy one of his books results in a statement that the the item selected cannot be sent to your country meaning the United States of America. What is the comment to get around this?
I selected one of his books about Covid.
If you go to the US site, instead of the UK one, you may find it somewhat easier to order from, and I'm told, you may actually have a chance at receiving the order this century.
I will check it out!
Thank You, David.
Thank you, Edwin. The US site does have the books and will ship to me. The problem is I followed the link to the UK site.
Let me get back to you. Which book was it specifically?