#Tag
Cheap #solar panels are changing the world.
But there is a dark side to this technological progress. The consequences of relying too much on solar power could be devastating.
Read on:
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2023/11/chapter-16-here-comes-the-sun-god/
A #Seattle startup called #Radical has flown a 120-foot-wide prototype #drone for the first time, marking one low-altitude step in its campaign to put #solar planes in the #stratosphere for long-duration missions. https://www.geekwire.com/2025/radical-full-size-prototype-stratospheric-drone-first-flight/ #Tech #AvGeek #Aerospace
SolarCloud is here!
If you always wanted #Solar panels but couldn't afford them or didn't have a roof to put them on, no worries, you can use SolarCloud.
Customers can buy one or more panels, starting at $139 each, and monitor generation 24/7 via SolarCloud’s online platform. Credits are applied directly to any Australian energy bill and remain transferable if users move or switch energy providers. #Australia #Solar #SolarPunk #Renewables #Climate
https://www.solarcloud.com.au/
SolarCloud is here!
If you always wanted #Solar panels but couldn't afford them or didn't have a roof to put them on, no worries, you can use SolarCloud.
Customers can buy one or more panels, starting at $139 each, and monitor generation 24/7 via SolarCloud’s online platform. Credits are applied directly to any Australian energy bill and remain transferable if users move or switch energy providers. #Australia #Solar #SolarPunk #Renewables #Climate
https://www.solarcloud.com.au/
Chinese producers of polysilicon for solar panels signaled a turnaround in the industry after years of steep losses. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/10/27/tech/china-solar-silicon-makers/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #tech #solar #renewables #semiconductors #chipmakers #china
It's fun to see how solar panel manufacturing processes affect how they look. Mono-Si is produced in cylinders, so the cells are cut to octagons, a compromise between wasting too much material, and having too much empty space when tilling. Poly-Si can be made directly into squares without waste, and is also cheaper, but the panels are less efficient.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Comparison_solar_cell_poly-Si_vs_mono-Si.png
Wild. Colorado is short on transmission lines to get the massive amount of #solar and #windpower generated in the southern part of the state up to the Denver metro area, so… they will soon be running freight trains full of giant batteries up and down the Front Range. These trains used to ship hundreds of tons of coal, but are shipping less now as the coal fired power plants are being decommissioned: too dirty and too expensive. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/suntrain-experimental-train-car-solar-energy-union-pacific-rail-lines-colorado/
Solar energy is going to power the world much sooner than you think, says @NewScientist.
"The first six months of 2025 saw wind and solar together pass a historic milestone, generating more power than coal for the first time and making renewables the world’s leading source of electricity."
Wild. Colorado is short on transmission lines to get the massive amount of #solar and #windpower generated in the southern part of the state up to the Denver metro area, so… they will soon be running freight trains full of giant batteries up and down the Front Range. These trains used to ship hundreds of tons of coal, but are shipping less now as the coal fired power plants are being decommissioned: too dirty and too expensive. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/suntrain-experimental-train-car-solar-energy-union-pacific-rail-lines-colorado/
Yale Climate Connections: ‘Solar suitcases’ bring safe lighting to more than 10,000 clinics across sub-Saharan Africa
So... rain and dark cloudy skies for perhaps the week ahead. That means not much sunshine to even activate the solar panels. I'll be fine for a few days, but the batteries will need a charge.
I have two generators as a backup, one a traditional loud inverter generator. As a smaller engine, it isn't very efficient and no emissions system means a lot of carbon monoxide and NOx that is a big risk for inhalation (headaches and other mortal health risks.) It's only a few kilowatts, which is good for topping off the batteries. The other is my hybrid car, which can supply several kilowatts from its 350 volt inverter or about 800 watts from the 12 volt inverter. Each one has their own risks and safety requirements. I have run the 350 volt system to my solar inputs before, but the risks are high. If a fault happens, will my DC high voltage fuses blow correctly or turn into a 100,000 watt arc lamp? I've seen fuses fail before and a bad safety circuit can be worse than no safety circuit. Safety circuits need to be redundant and diverse, because they do fail in my experience.
The 12 volt inverter is a much safer choice as I don't need too much power this week. But I will continue to design a safety circuit for the high voltage inverter distribution system. Hopefully, I can make the communications to automatically connect with the car's high voltage system. That requires working with the relay disconnect safety check sequencing.
Yale Climate Connections: ‘Solar suitcases’ bring safe lighting to more than 10,000 clinics across sub-Saharan Africa
New industry minister Ryosei Akazawa disclosed plans Thursday to tighten regulations on large-scale solar power plants to prevent environmental damage. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/10/24/akazawa-solar-farms-regulations/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #meti #solar #environment #ryoseiakazawa
Solar energy is going to power the world much sooner than you think, says @NewScientist.
"The first six months of 2025 saw wind and solar together pass a historic milestone, generating more power than coal for the first time and making renewables the world’s leading source of electricity."
Ever since learning about Solar Power in my 1964 Weekly Reader, I have dreamt of this day. The Solar Panels are on the roof and I am one excited Old Coot. #solar #solarpower #solarpanels #sun #sunworshiper #sunworshipers #energy #cleanenergy #solarenergy #carbonfootprint
Ever since learning about Solar Power in my 1964 Weekly Reader, I have dreamt of this day. The Solar Panels are on the roof and I am one excited Old Coot. #solar #solarpower #solarpanels #sun #sunworshiper #sunworshipers #energy #cleanenergy #solarenergy #carbonfootprint
Nissan will showcase a prototype electric minivehicle that can be charged using an onboard solar power generation system at this year's Japan Mobility Show. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/10/22/companies/nissan-solar-powered-electric-vehicle/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #companies #nissan #electricvehicles #solar #cars
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