John Klar cites valid reasons why the potential of solar is limited. However, regarding batteries, please note that storage of energy need not always use electrochemical batteries. See for example https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_battery .
Thanks for this! I'm always eager to learn more, and will investigate this. However, even if batteries were moot, the panel production is still a boondoggle (as you agree).
I can't imagine what a gravity system would look like -- could it even fit on the planet to store enough energy? I'm certainly intrigued, as it generates no pollution in the sense of high-tech effluents and discharges. I'm also a big fan of ram pumps (I have one): an amazing technology, but not accessible for widespread application. Those EV cars will still need lithium....
John you nailed the facts right between the eyes and that should have stopped the insanity years ago. But the climate god worshipper’s don’t do facts. Facts are Their Krypton something to be avoided at all costs The only way to defeat them is to use the same tactics that they use fear and emotional blackmail. How many billions will die because of the 10,000 square miles taken out of production and many billions will live in poverty the world can not fathom what will it look like when all of the forests are cut to provide warmth for poor freezing humans who live in the northern hemisphere. Could go on but you get it.
How about the cancer and sickness inflicted by the environmental contamination of production and disposal? People want quick and easy answers rather than deep analysis. It won't improve until we can have a reasoned and factual discussion.....
Looked into solar panels last year. The warranty is for 15 years; however, the sales reps said they would last 25 years--barring no tornados or hurricanes. It was not cost effective for us, since our electric bills were not high enough to justify the extra expense. Estimates did not include the cost of batteries, which would require building a shed the size of a two-car garage. Wonder how much homeowner's insurance would increase with solar panel purchase? Plus shed?
Really? A shed?! That sounds like overkill. Though, a close friend in Connecticut recently told me he was quoted a price of 90K-100K for a solar array for his family's needs -- without batteries.....
My guess is that Elon Musk--or any one else for that matter--have the answers. The really troubling aspect of this whole issue is that there are very few who ask the questions. Seems to me there should be more curious souls with the courage to speak up. But that is another issue. Thanks again for your research and insightful writing.
And thanks for your comment. I was always taught to be one of those curious souls. I ask many questions, and get no answers about the renewable energy problems that are so obvious but simply ignored. That tells me a great deal in itself. Common pattern: solar panels, EVs, glyphosate, mRNA vaccines.... The list is long, but always includes corporate profiteers and captured regulatory agencies. Questions are verboten.
After rereading my post, I meant to say they do not have the answers. My wife always says that I need an editor--which she is and even makes a living by it.
You are right. We should always ask questions especially when there are large profits to be made. I am all for capitalism but it needs to be tempered with moral (and spiritual) limitations. Human greed is a powerful force with which to be reckon.
I too was taught to be curious--"inquiring minds want to know." It is what has driven me to be an avid reader and, unfortunately, a too obsessive collector of books.
Yes. These are all moral as well as factual discussions. It is immoral to regressively fund solar panels by poor people, that immorally pollute the environment.
I went to an event for RFK, jr. held by a bunch of old hippies. They showed an old documentary on RFK, jr extolling the virtues of wind power. I wondered if they hadn't gotten the memo that wind turbines in the ocean may be linked to whale deaths. I like RFK, jr as he seems open-minded, but things like this give me pause.
Interesting.... I never realized the amount of lubricants was that substantial -- though wind too creates pollution in manufacture. The blades of the turbines in Vermont are 180 feet long!!
Thanks John. Elon Musk is no genius - he's just another politician. Solar cannot and will not save anybody. I worked at the MIT Energy Lab in the 1980's. We were the first to analyze residential applications of photovoltaics. The cell efficiencies and predictions of coming efficiencies were exactly the same then as they are today. The lab-reported efficiencies never make it to the streets; I had a friend who was on the cutting edge ( a PhD ) of cell work; he started a company and then it folded because they can never deliver. Musk is a politician. Look at what Lithium mines are doing to Africa. It should be obvious - he's a WEF graduate that is ALL about the money; that's his goal - money is his God. Peace.
John Klar cites valid reasons why the potential of solar is limited. However, regarding batteries, please note that storage of energy need not always use electrochemical batteries. See for example https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_battery .
Thanks for this! I'm always eager to learn more, and will investigate this. However, even if batteries were moot, the panel production is still a boondoggle (as you agree).
I can't imagine what a gravity system would look like -- could it even fit on the planet to store enough energy? I'm certainly intrigued, as it generates no pollution in the sense of high-tech effluents and discharges. I'm also a big fan of ram pumps (I have one): an amazing technology, but not accessible for widespread application. Those EV cars will still need lithium....
John you nailed the facts right between the eyes and that should have stopped the insanity years ago. But the climate god worshipper’s don’t do facts. Facts are Their Krypton something to be avoided at all costs The only way to defeat them is to use the same tactics that they use fear and emotional blackmail. How many billions will die because of the 10,000 square miles taken out of production and many billions will live in poverty the world can not fathom what will it look like when all of the forests are cut to provide warmth for poor freezing humans who live in the northern hemisphere. Could go on but you get it.
How about the cancer and sickness inflicted by the environmental contamination of production and disposal? People want quick and easy answers rather than deep analysis. It won't improve until we can have a reasoned and factual discussion.....
Looked into solar panels last year. The warranty is for 15 years; however, the sales reps said they would last 25 years--barring no tornados or hurricanes. It was not cost effective for us, since our electric bills were not high enough to justify the extra expense. Estimates did not include the cost of batteries, which would require building a shed the size of a two-car garage. Wonder how much homeowner's insurance would increase with solar panel purchase? Plus shed?
Really? A shed?! That sounds like overkill. Though, a close friend in Connecticut recently told me he was quoted a price of 90K-100K for a solar array for his family's needs -- without batteries.....
yup
My guess is that Elon Musk--or any one else for that matter--have the answers. The really troubling aspect of this whole issue is that there are very few who ask the questions. Seems to me there should be more curious souls with the courage to speak up. But that is another issue. Thanks again for your research and insightful writing.
And thanks for your comment. I was always taught to be one of those curious souls. I ask many questions, and get no answers about the renewable energy problems that are so obvious but simply ignored. That tells me a great deal in itself. Common pattern: solar panels, EVs, glyphosate, mRNA vaccines.... The list is long, but always includes corporate profiteers and captured regulatory agencies. Questions are verboten.
After rereading my post, I meant to say they do not have the answers. My wife always says that I need an editor--which she is and even makes a living by it.
You are right. We should always ask questions especially when there are large profits to be made. I am all for capitalism but it needs to be tempered with moral (and spiritual) limitations. Human greed is a powerful force with which to be reckon.
I too was taught to be curious--"inquiring minds want to know." It is what has driven me to be an avid reader and, unfortunately, a too obsessive collector of books.
"I am all for capitalism but it needs to be tempered with moral (and spiritual) limitations." Yes!!
I too have too many books. My wife has tried to limit my habitual acquisitions..... :)
I have come to the same conclusion. A moral culture restrains. Without it, everything becomes an opportunity for financialization.
Yes. These are all moral as well as factual discussions. It is immoral to regressively fund solar panels by poor people, that immorally pollute the environment.
I went to an event for RFK, jr. held by a bunch of old hippies. They showed an old documentary on RFK, jr extolling the virtues of wind power. I wondered if they hadn't gotten the memo that wind turbines in the ocean may be linked to whale deaths. I like RFK, jr as he seems open-minded, but things like this give me pause.
I think capitalism assumes a fundamentally Christian world view. Without that, we get the world in 2023.
Brilliantly piece . Same issues with amount of petroleum needed for lubricants for wind I believe. The devil is in the details .
Interesting.... I never realized the amount of lubricants was that substantial -- though wind too creates pollution in manufacture. The blades of the turbines in Vermont are 180 feet long!!
Thankfully absent in mid Vermont well away from Burlington! Off to stoke the fire.
Oh no! Not an outdoor woodstove!? lol
Thanks John. Elon Musk is no genius - he's just another politician. Solar cannot and will not save anybody. I worked at the MIT Energy Lab in the 1980's. We were the first to analyze residential applications of photovoltaics. The cell efficiencies and predictions of coming efficiencies were exactly the same then as they are today. The lab-reported efficiencies never make it to the streets; I had a friend who was on the cutting edge ( a PhD ) of cell work; he started a company and then it folded because they can never deliver. Musk is a politician. Look at what Lithium mines are doing to Africa. It should be obvious - he's a WEF graduate that is ALL about the money; that's his goal - money is his God. Peace.
Let's call Musk an Opportunist. He is not really a politician, but understands how to play both sides to realize whatever profits him most.