| Author | Message | ||
     Aesquire |
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/solar-decathlo ns-rainy-start_594112.html The Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon kicked off today in Washington on the National Mall, under inauspiciously dark rainy skies. In a press release announcing the competition, Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu is quoted as saying, "The Solar Decathlon collegiate teams are showing how clean energy products and efficient building design can help families and businesses reduce energy use and save money...The event challenges talented students to become pioneers of clean energy technology and helps ensure that out nation remains competitive in the workforce of tomorrow." Chu has reason to be hopeful that the competition pays off: The Department of Energy gives a $100,000 grant to each team just to participate in the Solar Decathlon, in addition to all the other costs of hosting and producing the competition. (Some of the other costs are offset by the myriad sponsors--from Lowe's to Pepco.) Article goes on to describe an about 700 sq ft house that cost a half million. I'm all for alternative energy, clean energy, and efficient houses. I also appreciate the irony of opening a solar house tour on a rainy day. ( I also wonder how long such a "house" would survive if placed in place of my house, in my location. Looks like the roof will rip off, the house would flood, and you'd freeze in February. ) | ||
| Sifo |
Article goes on to describe an about 700 sq ft house that cost a half million. Keep in mind that these houses were built by the students. Cost of labor isn't included. Neither is the cost of land. So how long to get my ROI? | ||
| Cityxslicker |
they are spending half a million dollars to do what I do on most weekends when I camp. 'smart' =/ educated | ||
| Dfishman |
Rain & no wind in Hatteras.Solar power & wind power wouldn't help much down here.However I do believe in using these technologies.I just don't want the govmt shoving it down my throat.I sure wish solar panels weren't so expensive. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
I sure wish solar panels weren't so expensive. That's the problem in a nutshell. Who wouldn't want free energy even if it wasn't on a consistent basis. Anything would be better than nothing but the cost of these technologies just don't make it economical. | ||
| Zane |
I have to wonder. If the government would get out of the way, would alternative energy be farther along than it is now? Show me one case where the government does a function better than the free market. | ||
| Aesquire |
The 2 examples most frequently cited are Apollo, and the Manhattan Project. But. Apollo was built by contractors. Without Grumman, North American, etc. NASA would have a nice launch pad, some v-2 rockets and a few experimental tin cans. ( Mercury rose on converted ICBM's, built by contractors. ) The Manhattan Project, while funded and organized by the Armed Forces, used Contractors to build the real structure that made Uranium and Plutonium for the Bomb. If Chrysler hadn't figured out how to make the nickel grates with their own research, the Bomb would have been ready in 1975, not 1945. the old NACA is a good example of the Govt. doing things right. I'm sure there are a few other examples, but they are short lived. For example, The CDC. Which, by the time the progressives get done with it, will no longer be able to fight a plague, but be very well funded at interfering in your life. http://www.cdc.gov/ | ||
| Ducxl |
With the 3rd largest solar array in te northeast,LAST February we suspended production for 3 days while everyone reported to the roof.It was caving under the pressure of the arrays and snow.We also damaged a few collectors while clearing the snow.Now,EVERY Winter will pose problems. Unintended consequences..... | ||
| Kenm123t |
Duc put oil fired snow melter system in In the UK every heating system installed is of a condensing exhaust type Translation your furnace exhaust freezes up and shut down your heat. Why it was too cold for them long vent runs and poor condensate drainage for the relativly cool exhaust gases I build huge solar water heating arrays even in fla with Natural gas prices low not worth the price to install. I only build them GREEN JOB LEEDS or other waste of tax money projects. | ||
| Aesquire |
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/278763/sola r-energy-propaganda-101-michelle-malkin At this time Solar cannot compete with traditional energy. ( in mass power aps, still great for some stuff ) Since it's unlikely we will be building a lot more Dams for hydro power. ( environmental issues ) That means Fossil fuel or Nuclear. ( stellar fossil. All heavy elements are the remnants of Supernova. That's why they are rare ) Policy is to make traditional energy cost more to make solar work. I disagree with this policy. It affects, disproportionately, the poor and working class, and least affects the rich. ( like Obama, Pelosi, Buffet ) | ||
| Fahren |
The solar decathlon is a great idea/concept/fire up the imagination event. Not intended for street use. Once in a while you get an exception, but in general, most of these structures are interesting from an energy tech standpoint, bad from an architectural design standpoint. Far better to set up solar hot water heating on your roof, in tubes rather than flat plates if snow and ideal south facing orientation are concerns. Better yet: the Cityx solution: low tech. It costs no more to design a house properly, to orient the openings correctly and to shade them with a correctly calculated overhang for shielding too-hot summer sun, letting winter sun come in. Use of earth berming judiciously (no one really wants to live in a hobbit-hole). Smart, basic construction techniques: conservation measures cost far less than high-tech "systems.: Insulate the right way for your location; make a tight house and introduce fresh air with HRV/ERV heat-exchange ventilators. Use the low-tech solar hot water system for heat, snow melt, domestic hot water augmentation, etc. Limit electric use: energy-saving appliances, line drying clothes, use mostly day-lighting instead of electric, and for electric, use non-incandescent sources. Design to pick up and amplify air flow for summer, use traditional construction knowledge for your region: big porch overhangs and shading for hot southern climates, etc. If you want systems, you need land, and backup: wind (most of the time) + solar(daytime only) + micro-hydro (always running, but you need a stream on your property). Solar hot water. Backup heat system, like wood burning. Well-designed houses can be super-low energy users, be totally comforatable and attractive, and not rely on expensive technological systems. This should be a patriotic duty to implement. | ||
| Aesquire |
Fahren, 110% correct. My house's orientation is bad for solar. ( my planned, future detached garage will have passive solar features I can't economically add to the house. ) Years of study show that you can BUILD a 90% efficient house, ( using many of the features Fahren mentions above ) and it pays off pretty quick. 95% is doable, and still rational from a cost/benefit standpoint. !00% houses, that you can heat with body heat and a few 100 watt banned light bulbs, are too expensive for the results, except in limited circumstances. Like off grid living out in the hills/island/desert. Generally speaking, adding solar to a house seems to run the 10/10 rule. 10 grand$ out of pocket, 10 year payback. I've priced various options. More out of pocket sometimes gets you faster payback... Building in those features pays off big time. | ||
| Blake |
>>> Well-designed houses can be super-low energy users, be totally comfortable and attractive, and not rely on expensive technological systems. This should be a patriotic duty to implement. I agree! Further, anyone advocating for environmental stewardship needs to walk the walk. Hypocrites need to be shown the door and taught a lesson. Which of the following is the most patriotic? | ||
| Boltrider |
"Renowned" environmentalist.  Mr. Gore has become a caricature of himself. | ||
| Hootowl |
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240529702042 26204576602524023932438.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_re ad Pretty good read. I had no idea we were under 50% on oil imports. Note the hypocrisy in the prosecution of oil field related bird death and the lack of it in the wind energy sector. | ||
| Swordsman |
"The Department of Energy gives a $100,000 grant to each team just to participate in the Solar Decathlon" Damn! Let me show up with my bicycle and foil cap. Yes, I'm here for last place. Check please! ~SM} | ||
| Hootowl |
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/02/energy-in-ame rica-new-diesel-biofuel-faster-more-efficient-to-p roduce-says/?test=eim Bacteria, not algae this time. Hope it works. |
