tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29068712.post6915834111036184571..comments2023-07-22T10:29:47.474-05:00Comments on Photovoltaic systems and renewable energy: My Solar Electric System and New Year's ResolutionJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09163146438033538446noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29068712.post-2156864761503367142008-01-13T08:17:00.000-06:002008-01-13T08:17:00.000-06:00Ah, interesting! Keep us posted...I worked out th...Ah, interesting! Keep us posted...<BR/><BR/>I worked out that my contribution to the UK's electricity will be about 2x10^-9 when I've installed my next PV panels, which is a little daunting, but we all have to try IMHO! But it's good to know that I already eliminated more than 10x that waste with hardware and software upgrades to my systems (and I've just been writing up my 'low-power software' thoughts today)...<BR/><BR/>Rgds<BR/><BR/>DamonUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08642207670550763486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29068712.post-33872558925491768532008-01-12T20:53:00.000-06:002008-01-12T20:53:00.000-06:00Update:I've installed the transfer switch over the...Update:<BR/><BR/>I've installed the transfer switch over the weekend. Now I'm ready to move on to the battery control circuit I described in the original post.<BR/><BR/>sjJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09163146438033538446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29068712.post-60058149400383010682008-01-09T03:35:00.000-06:002008-01-09T03:35:00.000-06:00Dear SJ,I found your postings very educational. I ...Dear SJ,<BR/><BR/>I found your postings very educational. I would like to invite you to checkout my new free public service page, for 'Predictive performance diagnostics', at:<BR/>www.pvperformance.com. I believe your input will be valuable in helping us to evolve it into a truly useful tool for many smaller PV system owners. It is put up in the hope to reduce waste due to un-detected under-performance in PVs. Thanks,<BR/>Steve scyang(at)wattminder.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15334920823866663072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29068712.post-79167423574595712902008-01-07T19:15:00.000-06:002008-01-07T19:15:00.000-06:00We don't have to replace all of the fossil fuels w...We don't have to replace all of the fossil fuels we're currently burning with other energy sources, but we do need to conserve and use available energy sources more efficiently. Anyone who powers their home with PV will tell you that the first step is to reduce consumption. Having done that you can get by with a smaller system, and therefore use less of the limited resources you speak of. Other sources of energy, such as wind and hydro, will also limit the need for PV panels and the resources they require. <BR/><BR/>If you're buying groceries for a family of four, and you only want to go to the store once a week, you're going to have trouble getting them home if you're on foot or on a bicycle.<BR/><BR/>I'll keep adding to my PV system, and I'll buy a PHEV when they become available. I also supplement my home heating by burning corn. I don't understand your statement "...it is mammothly irresponsible to assume that we'll simply switch over to another technology." I've already done that!<BR/><BR/>I don't expect a mass exodus from grid-supplied electricity to PV panels anytime soon, since it's still cheaper to buy electricity from a coal-fired power plant. With low nighttime rates in some places, it's likely that most PHEV owners will charge their vehicles with power from the grid. For that reason, those who want to use clean alternatives should have no trouble doing so, since supply and demand issues shouldn't be dramatic.<BR/><BR/>Adding PHEV charging to the already strained electrical grid will be a headache, but it can be fixed. My utility company makes huge profits, and will be making even more when PHEV's are added to the load. It's time to use some of that money for improvements. It's also important to note that most PHEV's will be charged at night, when electricity demands are low.<BR/><BR/>I'm all for mass-transit, walking, and biking when it makes sense to do so. Perhaps those who are most responsible for consuming resources irresponsibly and for polluting the environment should have to pay accordingly. Oil and coal should be phased out gradually, giving us time to adjust. I believe we'll start to see a change if we get a president who truly cares about the environment, but I encourage ordinary people to take the lead instead of waiting for politicians.<BR/><BR/>sjJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09163146438033538446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29068712.post-85369810001047579492008-01-06T19:55:00.000-06:002008-01-06T19:55:00.000-06:00John,How many PVs can be built before we run out o...John,<BR/><BR/>How many PVs can be built before we run out of gallium and indium? <BR/><BR/>How many batteries can be made before we run out of nickel or lithium or whatever else they're using to manufacture them?<BR/><BR/>I admire your optimism, but there is no way in hell that we can replace the fossil fuels we're using now without drastically reducing the amount of energy we're currently using. This means living without air conditioning, electric dryers and all of the gadgets we've come to expect as our birthright.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore, do you honestly expect that everyone will switch over to using solar panels to charge their Chevy Volts?<BR/><BR/>Ultimately, we need to re-scale and re-localize. We need to rebuild our national passenger rail system. We need to get people out walking and cycling, especially for trips less than 3 miles. And don't give me the usual nonsense about inclement weather or disabled people as the logic goes "human power might not always make sense so therefore we should drive everywhere all of the time."<BR/><BR/>I seriously hope to be proven wrong by this, but it is mammothly irresponsible to assume that we'll simply switch over to another technology. We need to start making other plans, including a back-up that doesn't rely on things that might not even have a future.<BR/><BR/>SeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29068712.post-87330164585714279842008-01-02T09:14:00.000-06:002008-01-02T09:14:00.000-06:00Hi SJ,I found an upper threshold voltage of somewh...Hi SJ,<BR/><BR/>I found an upper threshold voltage of somewhat under 14V, ~13.8V, worked better for my equivalent of your scheme.<BR/><BR/>Rgds<BR/><BR/>DamonUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08642207670550763486noreply@blogger.com