I feel that there would be more support for solar energy development projects if more people were involved in solar energy at the individual level. Grassroots sort of thinking here. I have lived with solar energy as my main source of energy for over 10 years now. I am totally off grid, living in an area that has no electric or even water sources. I have a very humble solar set up with small inverters I get from Wal-Mart or Checker Auto and the same for batteries. I set it all up myself and maintain it myself. I only have two large Kyocera solar panels (but I'm hoping to get more) and (5) 12 volt deep cycle batteries wired in parallel. My panels are now near the ground on a table instead of up on the roof where storms caused damage in the past.
I love solar, but it has its drawbacks of course. However, the positives far outweigh the negatives as most of us will probably agree. I also like the concept of the flexible panels that won't break as easily as other panels. Maintenance is involved with anything of course, but solar doesn't need as much maintenance as certain other energy systems require. An aside here: I never washed my panels in all these years and never even thought of it before. I guess I will give that a try. Mine only get washed when it rains. Mine lie flat and do not track because I have no tracker.
If there could be more of a focus on bringing solar to individual families (especially low income families) then solar energy's benefits would be more "proven" and acceptable to a larger number of people (the public's tax payers of course). Some families can't afford the large systems or of being able to be code compliant, yet a large chunk of their income goes to energy costs. And some of those familes rely on help from the state and federal government when that particular cost (to all involved) could be reduced dramatically by using solar.
I'm all for putting solar to work on a grand scale too, because solar makes sense, especially here in Arizona. I am absolutely amazed that solar is not used more extensively in Arizona. Most know of solar just for heating their swimming pools or maybe hot water in the home. Call a few of the solar companies in the yellow pages and most will be surprised at your questions, and somewhat ignorant regarding any answers.
I like to hear of new concepts such as the solar roadway, because new ideas should be encouraged. That doesn't mean that I agree with all new ideas or that I agree with the solar roadway concept, but I do certainly enjoy hearing about it. Good discussion gets results. Without input from others, we will never move our thinking outside of the box. I say put the panels where they will be the most cost and energy effective: on the roofs or other collection areas that are nearby the structures which they serve. Large "solar energy farms" should also be set up in outlying areas to benefit the urban areas within and without the state ($$$$).
Amisa
--- On Tue, 8/31/10, MaryLou Benigno <[address removed]> wrote:
From: MaryLou Benigno <[address removed]>
Subject: Re: [alternativeenergy-35] The Solar Roadway - They need our support!!
To: [address removed]
Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 10:49 PM
I concur. Solar water heating has the best payback of all and if you multiply this energy saving by the multi millions of residences and businesses that might conceivably participate that would make a huge dent...and the employment picture would improve somewhat. So simple...such common sense. Of course...why would we do that? m
On Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 8:51 PM, Ray Alfini PE <ray.alfini.pe@gmail.com> wrote:
The costs associated with these panels are not available. There are many other ways to generate power without having to overcome a moving vehicle's mass, oil and tire tracks, freezing and thawing. Road bed construction for typical concrete and asphalt highways is difficult enough without these panels. The solar flux has a certain amount of energy and horizontal surfaces are only good for summertime collections. There are better ways to use the stimulus money like putting a solar water heater on every home that receives sufficient sunshine. Let's use existing concepts to put people to work NOW! Ray
On Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 2:47 PM, MaryLou Benigno <[address removed]> wrote:
YES! Pete... AND this would/could ultimately lead to decentralization of the grid. What we need is some entrepreneurial adventures right here in AZ. I just don't get it. Why not direct stimulus money to such a venture. The SolarStacks are my heroes. m
On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 10:01 PM, Pete <[address removed]> wrote:
Dear Franklin, Steve, Fred et al,
Solar panels ABOVE the roadways on overpasses, etc. sounds like a much better idea than
making the panels the roadway bed themselves. But wouldn't it be even more efficient to be
putting them right on the buildings they will be serving?
---Pete
Franklin wrote:
A better idea is to put solar panels ABOVE the roadways at least as high as the clearance that any overpass has on the same stretch of road. They can be tilted up for better efficiency per panel. There is still the issue of keeping them clean, but that sounds like an employment opportunity.
-Franklin
From: [address removed]
Subject: Re: [alternativeenergy-35] The Solar Roadway - They need our support!!
Date: Mon, 30 Aug[masked]:51:46 -0400
Or dirt/grime, accidents including vehicle fires, shorts in the rain, system costs, Inverter placement and meters for tying into the grid. I think this is one of the, things I have ever seen
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, August 27,[masked]:47 PM
Subject: Re: [alternativeenergy-35] The Solar Roadway - They need our support!!
Well, I suppose that could be a problem in some cases but think about the average highway; if you keep six or more car-lengths between you and the next car, that is less the 20% of the time that a spot would be shaded. Of course if it is a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam, that would be different.
Jon
-------------------
On Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 4:16 PM, MaryLou Benigno <[address removed]> wrote:
...but how would the sun penetrate the cars to get to the roadway? m
On Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 12:45 PM, Jon Findley <[address removed]> wrote:
Here is an innovative idea for sustainable roadways. Check out the Web site and VOTE in the GE contest to help get them funding.
"The Solar Roadway is a series of structurally-engineered solar panels that are driven upon. The idea is to replace all current petroleum-based asphalt roads, parking lots, and driveways with Solar Road Panels that collect energy to be used by our homes and businesses." http://solarroadways.com/intro. shtmlJon Jon Findley
--
Jon
Jon Findley
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Meetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York[masked] | [address removed] -- Please Note: If you hit " REPLY", your message will be sent to everyone on this mailing list ( [address removed]) This message was sent by Geoff Sutton ( [address removed]) from The Phoenix Alternative Energy Meetup Group. To learn more about Geoff Sutton, visit his/her member profileTo unsubscribe or to update your mailing list settings, click hereMeetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York[masked] | [address removed] -- Please Note: If you hit " REPLY", your message will be sent to everyone on this mailing list ( [address removed]) This message was sent by Franklin ([address removed]) from The Phoenix Alternative Energy Meetup Group.
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To unsubscribe or to update your mailing list settings, click hereMeetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York[masked] | [address removed] -- Ray Alfini PE Manager, AlfiniSolutions LLC [masked] Cell "I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait till oil and coal run out before we tackle that." - Thomas Edison [masked])
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