Comments on: Do Something Solar?

By: Domestic Solar Power

Domestic Solar Power — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:01:33 +0000

Domestic Solar Power…

It looks like we have similar ideas on this subject….

By: Only Solar Action is Virtual » CogDogBlog

Only Solar Action is Virtual » CogDogBlog — Mon, 11 May 2009 02:59:20 +0000

[...] not much of anything since spinning off my interest in solar energy, but it is still simmering in my tired [...]

By: Laura Little

Laura Little — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:45:28 +0000

Fascinating information. I live in West Virginia, where energy sources are a hotbutton topic.

Part of the problem that we haven’t addressed is that too many people are making too much money from the grid the way it is. WE need to find a way to transition folks to making money from greener energy. Re-working the grid is something that may help out.

I’m no engineer, but I think that we could continue to use the existing grid if we were able to create “holding stations” for the energy produced by intermittent sources. Addresses and alleviates both problems.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:44:48 +0000

I don’t know what to say to this post other than “wow” – you’ve assembled a motherload of interesting stuff here, and I hope your interest persists and that you keep blogging it!

By: Alan levine

Alan levine — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:10:23 +0000

Stephen the designation of hydro electric as non renewable caught my eyey too, but that was defined by the DOE source where the graphic in the technology review came from. I’d agree with Gerry that while water is technically renewable and gravity is free, the negative impact of dams ( changing the natural system) is the issue.

Gerry as far as geothermal goes, I font have the exact stat but recall reading while stdying in Iceland that a concerted government effort goylt them to a point where fomething like 90 % of their heat comes from geothermal sources ( it does help to be situated on an active volcanic gift zone).

By: Gerry

Gerry — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:42:09 +0000

While hydro is certainly a renewable source, living in an area where there are two large dams, and a third most likely on it’s way, some would say that hydro is not really green when you consider the huge impact on the land base. We also have some wind projects on the go here (which we have plenty of) – one on sensitive wildlife habitat.

Alan, I would also like to learn more about the issues and benefits of solar, as well as geothermal. Apparently we have a couple of houses in our area the are using geothermal and I know of some remote guide outfitter camps that are using solar panels that have been recycled from other installations kind of like companies passing on older computers to schools.

By: Stephen Downes

Stephen Downes — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:17:57 +0000

> Burning leaves makes more energy than solar, wind, and geo-thermal combined?? That seems lame.

This is also going to include wood stoves and wood-burning furnaces and fireplaces. Lots, actually.

By: Stephen Downes

Stephen Downes — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:16:32 +0000

> # 6.9% from hydroelectric # which leaves a paltry 2.5% from renewable energy sources that include

Um, do you not know what hydroelectric is?

It’s electricity that’s produced by building dams and tapping water as it runs downhill.

It is renewable. The supply of water, typically generated by rainfall, does not disappear (there are some exceptions because of glacier melt). Neither does gravity.