Comments on: The problem with solar power for homes – and why this problem doesnt really exist! http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist/ NOW Is The Time To Go Solar Power For Homes With Solar Panels! Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:53:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Brant E.http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist/comment-page-1/#comment-3915 Brant E. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:05:24 +0000 http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/solar-power-for-homes/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist#comment-3915 Agian, where are we going to get the copper and other rare materials to start mass producing photovolataics?In 2007, the US used 101.545 Quadrillion BTU, and only .081 Quad. BTU came from solar (http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/trends/table1.html). So, that's where we are at. To be fair, we will definitely HAVE to become more energy efficient. Americans, with 5% of the population, cannot continue to use a fourth of the World's resources.Not even taking into account all the capital needed to create a new industry and infrastructure, AND assuming we cut down our energy consumption drastically, AND assuming the efficiency of solar panels increases as the technology gets better, that is still a gigantic gap. Not to mention those assumptions are anything but a given.The thing about innovation that everyone conveniently forgets is that it's unpredictable, pretty much by definition. With the computer revolution, the technology increased at a rate beyond our imagination. With space travel, this has not been the case.I would also like to point out that we have not invented our way out of anything. An honest evaluation of the state of the world (a world in which over 800 million people are hungry or malnourished - almost 3 times the population of the US) will speak for itself. We (affluent Westerners) benefit from technology, but others (communities living where resources we "need" are located), have paid the price historically. The earth is paying the price of our industrial, population heavy civilization. I'm not trying to guilt-trip anyone; this is all true of my lifestyle for sure.Sam, can you post a link to the source about the desert energy estimation you mentioned? Agian, where are we going to get the copper and other rare materials to start mass producing photovolataics?

In 2007, the US used 101.545 Quadrillion BTU, and only .081 Quad. BTU came from solar (http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/trends/table1.html). So, that’s where we are at. To be fair, we will definitely HAVE to become more energy efficient. Americans, with 5% of the population, cannot continue to use a fourth of the World’s resources.

Not even taking into account all the capital needed to create a new industry and infrastructure, AND assuming we cut down our energy consumption drastically, AND assuming the efficiency of solar panels increases as the technology gets better, that is still a gigantic gap. Not to mention those assumptions are anything but a given.

The thing about innovation that everyone conveniently forgets is that it’s unpredictable, pretty much by definition. With the computer revolution, the technology increased at a rate beyond our imagination. With space travel, this has not been the case.

I would also like to point out that we have not invented our way out of anything. An honest evaluation of the state of the world (a world in which over 800 million people are hungry or malnourished – almost 3 times the population of the US) will speak for itself. We (affluent Westerners) benefit from technology, but others (communities living where resources we “need” are located), have paid the price historically. The earth is paying the price of our industrial, population heavy civilization. I’m not trying to guilt-trip anyone; this is all true of my lifestyle for sure.

Sam, can you post a link to the source about the desert energy estimation you mentioned?

]]> By: Green Earlhttp://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist/comment-page-1/#comment-3878 Green Earl Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:39:28 +0000 http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/solar-power-for-homes/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist#comment-3878 Actually...I just checked on a system our company installed at the foot of 14,267 foot snow covered peak, Mt. Shasta in Weed, California, 28 years ago.Yes, it was overcast when I arrived, often is in that area, but the system was generating 110 degree hot water as this system was a domestic hot water heating solar system, mostly over-looked and treated as the wicked step -child of the solar electric PV blow and go contractor these collectors are actually 85 % or so effective in collection of energy (in the form of hot water stored in batteries, we call hot water tanks) than a PV collector which runs about 20% or a little more.As to your concerns on solar nationwide, or even world wide for that matter, consider that the state of New Jersey is now the second largest solar install state now, just behind California...Issues like poor climate can often be addressed with additional collection area and or storage...Green Earl, Founder American Energy Conservation Group Producing Negawatts.....Since 1981 Actually…I just checked on a system our company installed at the foot of 14,267 foot snow covered
peak, Mt. Shasta in Weed, California, 28 years ago.

Yes, it was overcast when I arrived, often is in that
area, but the system was generating 110 degree hot water as this system was a domestic hot water heating solar
system, mostly over-looked and treated as the wicked
step -child of the solar electric PV blow and go contractor these collectors are actually 85 % or so effective in collection of energy (in the form of hot
water stored in batteries, we call hot water tanks)
than a PV collector which runs about 20% or a little
more.

As to your concerns on solar nationwide, or even world wide for that matter, consider that the state of New Jersey is now the second largest solar install state now, just behind California…

Issues like poor climate can often be addressed with additional collection area and or storage…

Green Earl, Founder
American Energy Conservation Group
Producing Negawatts…..Since 1981

]]> By: Sam Deanehttp://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist/comment-page-1/#comment-3873 Sam Deane Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:28:16 +0000 http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/solar-power-for-homes/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist#comment-3873 The introduction of the 46 MW Moura photovoltaic power station in Portugal and the 40 MW Waldpolenz Solar Park in Germany show that huge photovoltaic power stations are on their way. Even larger ones are planned, like the 550 MW Topaz Solar Farm, and the 600 MW Rancho Cielo Solar Farm.It has been estimated that covering just 4% of the world’s desert area with photovoltaic panels could supply all of the world’s electricity. The Mojave Desert is one place already being seriously looked at.Have faith my friend. We are not coming to the edge of a cliff. We will work this through.The Earth receives more energy from the Sun in an hour than the human race uses in a year. Solar power is one of the most important ways we will achieve this over the next 50-100 years. Have faith. Humanity has shown an ability to invent its way out of all its major species threatening crises it has ever faced thus far. Unstoppable meteor the size of the sun? Maybe. But I do not think a man-made crisis will get the better of us. Solar power is one way forward of many my friend. Have faith.from Sam The introduction of the 46 MW Moura photovoltaic power station in Portugal and the 40 MW Waldpolenz Solar Park in Germany show that huge photovoltaic power stations are on their way. Even larger ones are planned, like the 550 MW Topaz Solar Farm, and the 600 MW Rancho Cielo Solar Farm.

It has been estimated that covering just 4% of the world’s desert area with photovoltaic panels could supply all of the world’s electricity. The Mojave Desert is one place already being seriously looked at.

Have faith my friend. We are not coming to the edge of a cliff. We will work this through.

The Earth receives more energy from the Sun in an hour than the human race uses in a year. Solar power is one of the most important ways we will achieve this over the next 50-100 years. Have faith. Humanity has shown an ability to invent its way out of all its major species threatening crises it has ever faced thus far. Unstoppable meteor the size of the sun? Maybe. But I do not think a man-made crisis will get the better of us. Solar power is one way forward of many my friend. Have faith.

from Sam

]]> By: Brant E.http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist/comment-page-1/#comment-3871 Brant E. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:11:43 +0000 http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/solar-power-for-homes/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist#comment-3871 How are we going to mine the raw materials for solar power without gasoline powered machines? How do you propose we transport these materials? What about making the glass that goes over the front of the solar panels? How will we set up manufacturing plants that produce the parts needed to create an infrastructure that allows each home to contribute to the grid? Seems like they would need petroleum products and a lot of electricity. How are we going to mine the raw materials for solar power without gasoline powered machines? How do you propose we transport these materials? What about making the glass that goes over the front of the solar panels? How will we set up manufacturing plants that produce the parts needed to create an infrastructure that allows each home to contribute to the grid? Seems like they would need petroleum products and a lot of electricity.

]]> By: Total Solar Energyhttp://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist/comment-page-1/#comment-1670 Total Solar Energy Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:02:26 +0000 http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/solar-power-for-homes/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist#comment-1670 you are correct about California. Due to its high levels of sunshine, California solar power has some of the greatest potential in the world to make a difference to its inhabitants. According to the California Building Industry Association, more than 150,000 homes are built in California each year. you are correct about California. Due to its high levels of sunshine, California solar power has some of the greatest potential in the world to make a difference to its inhabitants. According to the California Building Industry Association, more than 150,000 homes are built in California each year.

]]> By: Sam Deanehttp://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist/comment-page-1/#comment-1575 Sam Deane Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:29:01 +0000 http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com/solar-power-for-homes/the-problem-with-solar-power-for-homes-and-why-this-problem-doesnt-really-exist#comment-1575 yep, I'm sure that's where the smart money's heading! yep, I’m sure that’s where the smart money’s heading!

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