5 ms·

You could supplement with your own generator. Do you consider fuel to be an enormous sum, relative to solar?

ctdonath 6y ago
I’m focusing on solar-only solutions. Once you introduce sourcing as cheap & reliable as fossil fuels back into the equations, dropping solar entirely becomes a rational solution as the frequency of solar “incidents” becomes apparent and non-FF mitigation costs soar. I find most people don’t grasp how unreliable solar is.
- volta87 6y ago
  Where do you live ? You are making very bold claims about solar being unreliable, but I'd completely expect reliability of solar to vary significant from one location to another.
  - ctdonath 6y ago
    Southeast USA. On the whole a good place for solar. I’m trying to impress on people the many fiddly little obstructions that add up to significant reductions, and that despite prolonged good periods there are poor exposure times that fast burn thru stored energy and require substantial collectors to recharge in time for the next weather event.
- jimmaswell 6y ago
  If you're intent on using solar anyway then I don't see how having a fallback generator would compel you to just give up on the solar. How often do you have to repair or replace panels?
  - ctdonath 6y ago
    It’s just plain easier & cheaper to run FFs than solar. About the only serious disadvantage is noise.
    - ClumsyPilot 6y ago
      This is very misguided - anyone in serious remote area operates renewables with FF backup, because FF is expensive and delivery difficult and unreliable. If you ever been to remote lighthouse or similar, youd realise logitistics in delivering tonns of FF is not something you can take for grantes. Those 200 KG of solar panels will save you many metric tons of oil over their lifetime
- carapace 6y ago
  Small-scale alcohol fuel production is an option. Grow sugar beets and make moonshine. It's still solar power. (No pun intended.) The molecules of alcohol are made of air and water and power from the sun.

I’m focusing on solar-only solutions. Once you introduce sourcing as cheap & reliable as fossil fuels back into the equations, dropping solar entirely becomes a rational solution as the frequency of solar “incidents” becomes apparent and non-FF mitigation costs soar. I find most people don’t grasp how unreliable solar is.

volta87 6y ago
Where do you live ? You are making very bold claims about solar being unreliable, but I'd completely expect reliability of solar to vary significant from one location to another.
- ctdonath 6y ago
  Southeast USA. On the whole a good place for solar. I’m trying to impress on people the many fiddly little obstructions that add up to significant reductions, and that despite prolonged good periods there are poor exposure times that fast burn thru stored energy and require substantial collectors to recharge in time for the next weather event.
jimmaswell 6y ago
If you're intent on using solar anyway then I don't see how having a fallback generator would compel you to just give up on the solar. How often do you have to repair or replace panels?
- ctdonath 6y ago
  It’s just plain easier & cheaper to run FFs than solar. About the only serious disadvantage is noise.
  - ClumsyPilot 6y ago
    This is very misguided - anyone in serious remote area operates renewables with FF backup, because FF is expensive and delivery difficult and unreliable. If you ever been to remote lighthouse or similar, youd realise logitistics in delivering tonns of FF is not something you can take for grantes. Those 200 KG of solar panels will save you many metric tons of oil over their lifetime
carapace 6y ago
Small-scale alcohol fuel production is an option. Grow sugar beets and make moonshine. It's still solar power. (No pun intended.) The molecules of alcohol are made of air and water and power from the sun.