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"once you buy solar panels you are dependent only on the continued existence of the sun for power" Or until the panels degrade too much or break down, and you
by lukan 3y ago
"once you buy solar panels you are dependent only on the continued existence of the sun for power"
Or until the panels degrade too much or break down, and you have to buy new ones as you cannot make them. So it is still a dependency, but less strong.
- timschmidt 3y ago> Or until the panels degrade too much or break down Just one lifetime then? Last I checked most panels have 30 year manufacturer warranties and tend to last longer if taken care of.
- lukan 3y agoI think most people live longer than 30 years and you will be still dependant on the manufacturer who can also go out of buisness.
- Larrikin 3y agoBuy 3 sets all at once or buy from a different manufacturer, which will probably have cheaper and better panels after 30 years. 30 years is a long time to figure things out.
- 082349872349872 3y ago> 30 years is a long time to figure things out. especially when compared to the usual alternative: (bi-)monthly billing in a contractual relationship with a power company.
- lolinder 3y agoThat still doesn't contradict their point about decentralization. When the panels need replacing you replace them from whichever suppliers are available at the time and then you're good for another 20-30 years. If you're hooked up to the grid then you owe a specific entity money every month.
- kmeisthax 3y agoThe Amish buying a bunch of old PV manufacturing equipment and accidentally kickstarting America's solarpunk revolution isn't exactly something I had on my 2020s political upheaval Bingo board, but...