Solar & Wind Power Naive, Impractical "Feel Good" Solution

[DCforever]

Originally Posted by Submariner

I relied on grid power, here in Maine for 12 years, before shifting to solar power. Grid power is anything but reliable. We did not experience a single calendar month without power outages. Some were only 4-hour outages while others have been week-long outages.

Maine is 92% forest. Every time the wind blows somewhere a tree blows down and if that tree is near a power line then multiple townships lose power.

Solar power is far more reliable than anything the Power Companies are capable of providing.





Your perspective of solar does not compare with that of New England.

It is not difficult to use Solar Power in New England to power a home.

Since solar power equipment depreciates over a 7-year period, every penny spent can be written off over 7 years. This has a big effect on ROI.

Reliability in Maine really depends upon where you are located. along the coast where most of the people live, reliability is quite good. Up in the northern forests, you've moved out of civilization and really have to be prepared to fend for yourself.

[pknopp]

Originally Posted by jbgusa

For a recent update on this issue, concerning solar, see recent National Review article, A Clean Energy’s Dirty Little Secret, discussed in Solar Has Some Serious Environmental Problems; But it Feels So Virtuous.

Recycling solar panels is predicted to be a $15 billion dollar industry.

http://www.irena.org/DocumentDownloa...anels_2016.pdf

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by DCforever

Reliability in Maine really depends upon where you are located. along the coast where most of the people live, reliability is quite good.

Half of the population of Maine live within a roughly 40-mile radius of Portland, down in the extreme Southern corner of the state. This area is commonly referred to as Congressional District #1. The remaining 98% of the state is District #2.

The 3,000 miles of coastline has higher home prices and taxes but is not noticeably higher populated.

There is a huge difference between these two districts in terms of Cost-Of-Living, taxes and population density. But these districts do not align with coastal or non-coastal.

... Up in the northern forests, you've moved out of civilization and really have to be prepared to fend for yourself.

Geographically I live in the Southern half of Maine.

The Public Utility power grid serves about 2/3 of Maine towns, the remaining towns have no access to either of Maine's power grids.

Northern Maine towns that have grid power are supplied their power from Canada.

[Goodnight]

Originally Posted by jbgusa

For a recent update on this issue, concerning solar, see recent National Review article, A Clean Energy’s Dirty Little Secret, discussed in Solar Has Some Serious Environmental Problems; But it Feels So Virtuous.

Glad to see the National Review has an interest in the bi-products and disposal of solar plates, next up fossil fuels. Who knew they were so envirom3entally conscious.


They will find a solution to this, there really aren't any good alternatives other than continuing the use of fossil fuels with their very large downside.

There are hazardous substances but a move to thin-film technology will alleviate many of the problems but not all, particularly cadmium.


Good article from the IEEE.



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