Ya’ve said ya prefer being in the trees, so ya got that going for ya.
I’m in the trees too much golfin to have fun skiin between em.
ICE v Electric: Cost and Emissions
- Thread starter DomB
- Start date
I’m in the trees too much golfin to have fun skiin between em.
Campgottagopee
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- Jul 20, 2020
I am too. I'm actually very intrigued by it, the fact you can generate power from the suns rays is amazing to me. As with most technology things get better. One thing I hope they can improve is the size of panels that are needed to generate power. Right now, here in CNY, there are massive solar farms popping up all over the countryside. I get that the property owners are making much needed money, but it's such a shame to see what once was beautiful pasture full of cows now home to butt ass ugly solar panels.
DomB
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- Aug 25, 2020
TJ - I have been spending time looking into this.
Our house uses just about the average electrical consumption. AFTER REBATES, the break even point is 10-15 years for Tesla Solar panels (which they claim are the most cost effective - I don't know if that is true). Tesla's solar roof product has a longer pay back (more like 20 years) but if you need a roof, it gives you a new roof and a solar generation. Some rebates apply at the point of sale, but most of state and federal are paid back to you when you get your tax return. So like April to October after filing year. But I agree, if one pursues, it is not a pure economic decision because you can put that money to much more productive uses.
Also, the shape and direction of your roof has a big impact. I can only get to 80% offset from panels and 54% from solar roof. If my roof was ideal, I probably could get to 100%.
As you note, if you think about the fact that this is a payback to 0, it is not an economic investment (putting that money into an market index fund would double it in 10 years at 7 pc as you know).
One small modification to your point - my local utility has a program where if you have batteries and they have a high demand event, you allow them to drain your batteries to feed the grid. When this happens, they pay quite a high rate. I did the math, they had three events last year, which totaled about $450. For my low usage months, that is more than a month. I'd have to check the math, but that is probably more than 20% of my annual cost. When I spoke to them, it sounded like it was a fairly new program. I am LI PSEG.
Also, anyone looking into this should realize you will not get your utility bill to 0. On average, mine is about 205. Even if I were 100% offset, there are still like $25 in regulatory fees for the privilege of being connected to the grid.
Hopefully this is helpful. FYI, google has a lot of info on state, federal, and utility rebates.
And people should know that battery rebates bring the cost of a tesla powerall to about the level of a gas or diesel generator.
Photosynthesis with plants has been going on for awhile in case ya forgot Camp. Some folks say it burns well and can throw some heat. Ya can eat some of em as they taste good too.
Campgottagopee
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- Jul 20, 2020
LOL -- yes, I'm aware of that
Ripitz
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- Dec 23, 2020
I agree that the large solar arrays can be eyesores. The ground underneath ends up being a waste of space which is a shame especially if it is good pasture. Most of them are mowed by man and machine which I think is wasteful. I’ve seen some with sheep grazing under them which to me looks like the best arrangement. The panels give them shade and shelter from the elements. It wouldn’t replace the mowing entirely but would certainly decrease the need. In an ideal situation you could add broilers and egg layers too. The same space could produce power, meat, eggs, and fiber.
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Campgottagopee
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- Jul 20, 2020
This is what's hilarious about solar panels. Here in town we have a SUNY school. The x-country team used to run thru a little corner of this field until somebody got all butt hurt that there were wild flowers in there and they would be running over them. They changed the course, no biggie, and for a few years it was all roped off so nobody could ruin the natural growth of said wild flowers. Now, this same little field that nobody could go into, is full of ugly solar panels and the mow around them. I laugh my ass of every single time I see them mowing.
Kingslug
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- Jan 17, 2021
you can ski on my property any time you want...might be a bit ....sporty
x10003q
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- Jul 21, 2020
It is the only way for most farmers to make a steady living in VT.
