Comment on Solar + Battery (covering 97% of demand) is now cheaper than coal and nuclear

• a4ng3l@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  Yeah I saw that… Though I’m 3 years into solar and my measurements aren’t so positive. I am definitely not covering 62% of our needs yearly. The 4 less sunny months are killers when you need heating.

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  • AA5B@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    I saw a video where a guy was claiming vertical solar panels can effectively generate more power more often. They can catch a little something when the sun is low in winter , or on the shoulder hours of sun-up/down, where traditional solar can’t, and they don’t get snow buildup

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    • gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      it’s a trade-off. the average generation curve depends on the inclination; each has its pros and cons

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      • a4ng3l@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

        Also if one chose to have some tree for natural shading it kind of forbids to have verticals. Shade was more appropriate in our case so there’s a very limited direct sun exposure.

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    • humanspiral@lemmy.ca ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      Panels are also cheaper than most fencing, and easy to DIY install.

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  • LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    I wanted to make a joke about plug flow electricity because your in the UK I believe from what you said, but I don’t know enough about it. Doesn’t sound like it could supplement much energy in its current stages. I am curious to see if it ever makes any substantial amount in the next 10 years.

    If you haven’t heard of it, it is a process of maximizing the use of air pockets created in catching falling water (rain) and allowing it to split in a way that can convert the kinetic energy of it essentially to about 10% electrical energy. Supposedily about 5x as effective as just letting the water fall on its own and turning it to mechanical energy. There’s something about it that seems whimsical about it to me. Not sure why.

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    • a4ng3l@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      Using rain for electricity sounds like too fun to be efficient enough xD I’m gonna look into that :)

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      • LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

        Yeah I think I like it because it doesn’t sound practical haha. It’s like what childhood me would want.

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  • HubertManne@piefed.social ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    62 percent could be 7 months all the time and 5 never right? So if those 4 months only get you 20% but the others give you ninety something. When I see that 62 I see it as over half the year it will work out good.

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    • a4ng3l@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      Yeah but that would not account for the electricity need: in winter we need between 1000/1300 kWh mainly for heating / domestic hot water. Other months under 250 even if we use air conditioning. So if you cover the 7 nice months you still get absolutely wrecked by the dreaded 4 in the winter cost wise…

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      • HubertManne@piefed.social ⁨2⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

        Yeah I was just explaining why I think the disconnect shows up between percentage and the number. Its why as you get to the end each percentage become significant as it means just a bit more insulation, batter size, panel efficiency, appliance efficiency might bridge the gap. You get in the nineties and its that one most brutal month that it can't handle.

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      • wewbull@feddit.uk ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

        They just assumed a constant draw I think.

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