Alternative Energy

I have talked with Konarka (solar) I have talked to Bill Becker (wind turbine) I have contacted local Solar, Wind companies, etc...

What I have found is: Big business and government is throwing a wrench into the works. I have found the solutions are out there but these companies are very wiry. You can not purchase the new tech and the old tech is too expensive. The new Phoenix SUT (100% electric vehicle) is available, but only if you put yourself on a list for when it is sold in 2010. But, they do not show a price!! What's that about?

The way I see it is: If the 'people' do not work together as one and put the pressure on, it will be too late to solve anything! I am not a conspiracy theorist, but, the bee's are dying, the earth is warming, the glaciers are melting, the ocean is becoming to acidic, the pollution, misuse of chemicals, greed! I can go on and on...I do not see much time left...Maybe there's more to the Mayan calender or 12/21/12 after all...

Tags: acidic, alternative, bee's, big, cars, dying, earth, electric, energy, global

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Permalink Reply by CLIFF JAGGER on October 30, 2009 at 9:20am: I have yet to see how many batteries are in an elec car these days but I dont think it can be done with just one battery pack.

They have these super chargers that will charge your car in 10 mins. but you have to have the storage to charge the car. Unless of course you use the grid...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by neil cox on October 30, 2009 at 10:44am: The Tesla roadster battery pack weighs about 900 pounds including an air conditioner to avoid over heating the cells during fast charge or fast discharge. It has over 8000 cells each a trifle lager than an AA cell. Range of the Tesla is about 260 miles, even in very high performance.
My guess is the Volt battery will have fewer cells, about the same size and about half as heavy. Other brands and hybrids are similar with a minimum of about 200 pounds of batteries. Big trucks will need a ton or two of battery, even for a battery only range of 100 kilometers = 60 miles. Some battery types can be charged to 90% in 10 minutes, 10% in one minute but about 200 kw is needed = about ten times the power available from the grid in existing homes. In some neighborhoods your electric utility can upgrade to 200 kw for about $1000, up front. In other cases lots more money and long lead time. An extra monthly fee will be charged in many cases as you only use the 200 kilowatts a few minites per week = use of demand fee. Neil; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alicia Prince on October 30, 2009 at 11:14am: i do really like that idea. and for areas of the world where it's not as sunny, a blend of solar/wind etc would probably be effective too.

as we're moving forward with alternative energy though, i think it's really important that we develop it domestically as well - if we're using batteries in our solar vehicles that are manufactured half way around the world, there will still be significant waste in transporting them and possibly manufacturing if the nation creating them doesn't have as high ecological standards.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Leslie G. on October 29, 2009 at 3:25pm: Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Florida; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CLIFF JAGGER on October 29, 2009 at 3:47pm: That is great and Florida is also putting in ocean turbines, but this does not help Joe car owner. Companies on that scale can afford the pay back time of eight to ten years. But Joe the car/home owner can not. Show me the company that has an affordable/efficient solar panel. DOW Corp. is coming out with a solar shingle in about a year, maybe less. This works if you need to put on a new roof. So the cost of a typical roof could be subtracted from the solar shingle cost. Plus utilizing, grants and/or power company reimbursements makes it affordable.
But, that is solar for your home use and does not resolve an elec car that goes three hundred miles on a charge.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by neil cox on October 30, 2009 at 12:46pm: Where in Florida are ocean turbines being installed, or perhaps ocean turbines may be installed in the far future? Some companies are claiming ten year pay back on alternative energy, but the real world is longer, perhaps never, without large incentives. How are the 1000 shingles connected to each other and the inverters? 2000 wire splices is looking for frequent repairs. Solar shingles will be practical only on the South facing portion of the roof rarely shaded by big trees. Will you be aggravated if the solar shingles look different than the rest of the roof?
I'm not sure about your last sentence. 300 mile electric cars are presently possible, but not much room is left for people or cargo. Your electric shingles can recharge your electric car if it is plugged in between 9 am and 4 pm, but you have little electricity left for other purposes. Neil; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CLIFF JAGGER on October 30, 2009 at 12:59pm: Correct and here lies many problems. The shingles do exist, but, I did not see how they are connected. The ocean turbines are being place off the east coast, if I recall, its in the Miami area.
The 300 mile car will take better battery tech, but I have (heard) they have been developed. I think the big questions is: what do we all do? talking about all this only feeds our interest but does not move us in any direction. Is anyone out there that has a first step for us to all work as ONE. I'm hoping for a smoking gun, not work as a volunteer or recycle your stuff. I'm looking for solidarity.; ▶ Reply to This