PV Gap

Jennifer Said:

U.S. Nuclear power - more pros and some cons?

We Answered:

Let me preface this with I LOVE green generation and promote it.

However, I power up 20% of Virginia from nuclear powered generation. We operate as base load plants. That means we are always at 100% power. Why? Because even with the cost of all the regulatory required oversight, training and licensing, engineering and security measures; we are simply the Lowest cost producer of electricity in the industry. Yes, this includes the cost of storage for our waste fuel. One day the Federal government will make good on the promise of a final storage place and our cost per Mega Watt Hour will go down even further.
(P.S. there is no such thing as super heated water...its steam and we don't release it, some places may evaporate a lot of water in cooling towers but it comes right back when it rains)

Recap:
Nuclear plants cost less to operate than fossil plants.
Nuclear plants cost less to build (per unit of electricity generated) than renewable sources of the same capacity such as solar or wind.
Nuclear plants can produce much larger amounts of generation in the same environmental area as a wind farm/solar plant.
Nuclear plants have higher capacity factors (more likely to be making electricity) than most other plants.
Nuclear plants do not affect the environment around them such as some hydro power networks.
Waste nuclear fuel storage has a smaller footprint than your trash, is less hazardous than your medical waste, and once in its final resting place can never be more dangerous than a big hunk of hot steel.

Holly Said:

How to make a solar powered battery charger?

We Answered:

The simplest way is to get a battery and a solar panel of a slightly higher voltage than the battery*. Good point Bob B; get a diode, too. Then put the solar panel in full sunlight and connect the positive ends and negative ends** and the battery should charge. The charging is done when the battery's voltage is what it should be.

This method should not be dangerous with small batteries (AA, AAA, 9V), but don't use it with a power outlet, and don't use it to charge, for example, a car battery. Still I take no responsibility for any damage to people or property.

* Test the voltage of the solar panel under the amount of sunlight you plan to use it in.
** This is how I charged my cellphone battery for about 2 months before I got my cellphone fixed. (I didn't use a solar battery; I connected the battery directly to the charger.)

Raymond Said:

residential absorption chiller?

We Answered:

You probably won't find one for residential applications because the payback in energy savings most likely will never cover the cost of the installation. Along with the chiller and solar, you'll need to pipe chilled water to your cooling unit along with a pump. You'll need a cooling tower or an air cooled condensing unit as well along with the associated piping and pump for the chiller. Finally, you'll still probably need a boiler to supplement your solar system as the chiller will need about 170-180 degrees of water to run efficiently. Cooling at night will be a problem without sun to heat your solar system. Absorption chillers are great for commercial properties that have co-gen systems. They make efficient use of the hot water produced by the generators. That's why you'll rarely see an absorption unit that's rated for less than 100 tons or so of cooling capacity.

Claude Said:

How do you feel about using sola-powered appliances or other installations at home?

We Answered:

I have lived off-grid for about four years relying completely on solar electric power. I learned a lot about conservation as my system is very modest, but I wouldn't exchange it for a monthly electric bill-I own my power not rent it from an electric company that can hike rates and pollute the air as much as they please.

I feel that utilizing solar energy has helped me look at my energy use in a new way. I have developed a new pattern language in my home and during my daily activities that have made me much less wasteful. Solar energy is expensive and so being efficient always trumphs adding solar modules to the home.

It feels great to use renewable energy from the sun!

Erik

Marvin Said:

If you want to know how foolish the world is...just consider this:?

We Answered:

I agree that solar power is good, but it cannot yet account for all energy sources. Current solar panels are highly inefficient and can only absorb something like 10 to 40% of the solar energy. Furthermore, it would take up a massive amount of land. Likewise, wind is not constant so wind farms aren't the solution either. You are right however about the stupidity of the oil argument. It is all because the oil industries lobby against green propositions. A combination of various green energy i.e. wind, solar, aqua, biomass, etc. could significantly reduce the amount of oil used, but current technology cannot yet eliminate the use of oil

Vickie Said:

Solar Panelling made mandatory?

We Answered:

Come on now we all know the Gov. wants you to spend all your money. But I like your way of thinking.
I have been working and adding on my panels for about ten years and each year I add on to them. This year I will be adding 3 more panels and at lest 2000 ah of battery's.
IT will take about four years for pay off. I have 900 watts of panels at this time..

My Electric bill when I got this house 10 years ago run $175 per month. With the panels it runs as low as $12 and in the winter $85. the panels I get run around $200 each the battery's are $65 each at most. But then we recycle tin and aluminum cans that pay for the battery's.