That's a fact. I can remember when you could get a gallon a gasoline for less than one thin dime. Now look at it. Those in control know how to bait. Even the poor fools that think free stuff from the government is really free will some day get a surprise.
A Glimpse Of Tomorrow Today
- Thread starter David357
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That's a fact. I can remember when you could get a gallon a gasoline for less than one thin dime. Now look at it. Those in control know how to bait. Even the poor fools that think free stuff from the government is really free will some day get a surprise.
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I do agree that the government would like nothing better than to totally control the populace.
However, I can make a KWh of electricity MUCH easier than I can make a gallon of gas.
Wind and solar now account for over 14% of electric power generation in the USA, and that is growing each year.
The cost of solar panels is coming down each year, batteries are getting better each year.
Mary and I lived off the grid for three years about 15 years ago. We relied on diesel fuel to make our electricity, which we stored in batteries. We ran the diesel generator about 10 hours a day and used just the batteries 14 hours a day.
I am looking forward to doing that again, but this time with solar panels instead of diesel....I think it is getting close to an economically feasible option.
Look at the bottom center patch on my vest...one of my favorites!
Kevin
However, I can make a KWh of electricity MUCH easier than I can make a gallon of gas.
Wind and solar now account for over 14% of electric power generation in the USA, and that is growing each year.
The cost of solar panels is coming down each year, batteries are getting better each year.
Mary and I lived off the grid for three years about 15 years ago. We relied on diesel fuel to make our electricity, which we stored in batteries. We ran the diesel generator about 10 hours a day and used just the batteries 14 hours a day.
I am looking forward to doing that again, but this time with solar panels instead of diesel....I think it is getting close to an economically feasible option.
Look at the bottom center patch on my vest...one of my favorites!
Kevin
Everyones different and there tolerance for certain things is not the same. So having said that, I think what they charge for electric is a great deal. I looked at a cabin years ago. It was a little over a mile from the power poles. They wanted about 9000 dollars to run a line to it. Sounds expensive, but after looking into it I think and still think it was a deal. Any type of power takes maintenance and things wear out or go bad. Thats all on you as the owner. Then take into consideration I'm getting old and don't want power production to be my hobby. I don't know if I'd live long enough to see a return financially but absolutely hate the way houses look with those panels all over the roof. Power is a convenience I don't mind paying for.
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Understood.
btw, I just looked at a calendar...it was 1998-2001 that we were off the grid, so about 20 years ago. The electric company wanted 11,000 to run a power line to our house, so instead I bought a diesel generator, batteries, an inverter and transfer switch. Off-road diesel was less than 50 cents a gallon back then, and we saved good money over those 3 years.
Ended up selling the generator for 60% of what I paid for it, don't remember what I got for the batteries, if anything. But it was a cash positive deal. However, it did involve some work, (oil changes, maintaining lead acid batteries, etc.). I learned a bunch, and it was fun.
I've looked at solar off and on over the years...it is getting more and more attractive. I would not do lead acid batteries again, lithium is probably the way to go.
btw, below is a photo of a solar roof. Too expensive, but does not look bad. (each shingle is a small solar panel)
We are out in the country, with our home on 6 acres. We would put the panels on the ground, sort of like in this photo-
The way our land is we could put them on a little hill, right near the house, but they would be out of sight when at the house and from the road.
I looked at a wind generator, but we do not have enough consistent wind where we are...but plenty of sun!
I believe the next 10 years are going to bring radical changes in what we see on the road, and how power is generated. Gonna be interesting.
Kevin
I'm wondering where these cars that will drive us wherever we want to go with just a phone call are going to have to be stored when they're not needed. Like at night. And if you work 8-5, how much will it cost you to get back and forth to work at rush hour when the demand's the highest? And what if you have three children plus the wife? How do you get 5 people in a 4 passenger car, plus luggage? All of a sudden your cost of travel has doubled. The cars that work well in warm weather take more power in cold climates so extra cars will be needed. Where will THOSE cars be stored in warm weather? And what about all the gases that charging and discharging batteries give off? What'll we do about that?
There are still an obstacle or two to over come yet.
PC
There are still an obstacle or two to over come yet.
PC
Sooner than you think
The number one selling vehicle in the US the F150, will be offered in an all electric version next year. A four door truck will easily carry five people. Ford jumping all in with an electric truck after dumping the whole sedan lineup, should give a good glimpse of the future.
The number one selling vehicle in the US the F150, will be offered in an all electric version next year. A four door truck will easily carry five people. Ford jumping all in with an electric truck after dumping the whole sedan lineup, should give a good glimpse of the future.
bikerbillone
3000+ Posts
Just enough time for a cup of coffee and and sandwich, then push electric accelerator and go. However, I don' see much future for the HD Live Wire right now.
Back in the 70's i had one of the first electric cars........And it never left me stranded...., As long as i didn't damage the the extension cord with the rear axle when i had to make a ''U'' Turn..
...
Look i'm too old to worry about what might happen in the future..I'm just happy to have what i have now......
...Look i'm too old to worry about what might happen in the future..I'm just happy to have what i have now....
..
I am employed with the company that installs heads on donkeys and then are sent to Washington for final assembly.
I don’t think I am that old and I have seen a lot of change. My grandmother talked about seeing the first automobile coming to town and of course she also talked about seeing the man walk on the moon. She never stepped on a plane.
We we need to stop sending donkeys to Washington. lol
Jack Klarich
Guest
I have doubts lecricity will become cheaper
If more things run on it chances are high they will figure a way to increase the cost
Not to mention the government will add in their stupid sur charges
If more things run on it chances are high they will figure a way to increase the cost
Not to mention the government will add in their stupid sur charges
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If the world needs to bend to a new idea, this would be a nice one. Surely, the future needs flying cars.
Back in the 70’s here , solar was big for just heating hot water to shower with 100 gallon storage tanks. Took 20 yrs to brake even providing the panels didn’t freeze and split ! Only knew of a handful of customers that made it thru the whole transformation.
bikerbillone
3000+ Posts
Good post #42 Fuzz, reality check.
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Not everyone lives in Fuzzy's reality.
We are all electric...no gas, and our water come out of our well, which is pumped out with electricity.
Our electric bill runs between a low of $200 a month, to a little over $400 a month, averaging out to about 3700.00 a year, and we are lower than many in our area.
I know a lot of folks that run $300 to $700 a month on the electric bill...that is probably more typical on a 2000-3000 sq. ft. house in the area.
SO...now apply those numbers to those kinds of electric bills and you see that it can start making sense.
I'm not saying we could run on a $22,500 system...but some quick math, even if it cost $30K
30,000 divided by 3,700 = 8.11 years
I think costs for solar systems will go down over the next few years, and, no doubt, my electric bill will continue to rise, as it has over the last, well, forever. lol
As a side note, we had a Customer from Norway visit us a few years back. They are BIG into geothermal, which, when he explained it, sounded like a very interesting energy alternative.
Kevin
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I have doubts lecricity will become cheaper
If more things run on it chances are high they will figure a way to increase the cost
Not to mention the government will add in their stupid sur charges
I think it's going to get cheaper and cheaper to make your own electricity.
Kevin
Solar Works - A Working Array Proof
We have gone to solar after our wind turbine stopped working. Wind is worthless. We broke even but just barely with that piece of junk. So we next went with a $50,000 solar array. Estimated return was to be 10 years but only because about one third could be written off. It isn't cheap by no means. Nevertheless we do see just how much more it's worth. What we see is every single new home should have one side of that home's roof done with solar. Make it a law, if nothing else because people won't do it unless they are forced. And every single remodel that evolves the roof should have solar added. We could reduce our electricity usage dramatically.
It's too bad it costs so much, but it's a very good way to reduce your monthly bills. We now see how people can actually live off grid. We have just added another $25,000 array. We could live off the grid now. However we won't just yet. Our next expense will be to somehow store our excess. We are fortunate that our coop energy source has a 1 for 1 buy back. That is the only reason we have not gone further. What we have now, and look how much it cost, gives us zero electric bill and we have not changed our power consumption one bit. However look how much it cost. The average person could not do this. We were only able to do it by taking out farm loans with very low payments. But the amount it reduced our power use made those payments for the most part. It wasn't everything but close. But it was certainly a gamble.
We are just glad it's working. I would not recommend anyone to do it like we did but it worked for us. Or I should say is working for us. We still have the last array to be paid for. This has been a 10 year gamble going on 15. But yes, solar works and works well. And they are producing better. Our last array which is half the size as the first, nearly produces the same as the first. That's how much they have changed in 10 years. They will soon be able to produce power by moonlight. They already produce on heavy over casts rainy days. So more proof they are producing better. Much better. That's why forcing all new construction to have solar would be extremely wise. And we do not have one share of stock in any solar company. That's just how much we can see the benefits of solar is all I'm saying.
We have gone to solar after our wind turbine stopped working. Wind is worthless. We broke even but just barely with that piece of junk. So we next went with a $50,000 solar array. Estimated return was to be 10 years but only because about one third could be written off. It isn't cheap by no means. Nevertheless we do see just how much more it's worth. What we see is every single new home should have one side of that home's roof done with solar. Make it a law, if nothing else because people won't do it unless they are forced. And every single remodel that evolves the roof should have solar added. We could reduce our electricity usage dramatically.
It's too bad it costs so much, but it's a very good way to reduce your monthly bills. We now see how people can actually live off grid. We have just added another $25,000 array. We could live off the grid now. However we won't just yet. Our next expense will be to somehow store our excess. We are fortunate that our coop energy source has a 1 for 1 buy back. That is the only reason we have not gone further. What we have now, and look how much it cost, gives us zero electric bill and we have not changed our power consumption one bit. However look how much it cost. The average person could not do this. We were only able to do it by taking out farm loans with very low payments. But the amount it reduced our power use made those payments for the most part. It wasn't everything but close. But it was certainly a gamble.
We are just glad it's working. I would not recommend anyone to do it like we did but it worked for us. Or I should say is working for us. We still have the last array to be paid for. This has been a 10 year gamble going on 15. But yes, solar works and works well. And they are producing better. Our last array which is half the size as the first, nearly produces the same as the first. That's how much they have changed in 10 years. They will soon be able to produce power by moonlight. They already produce on heavy over casts rainy days. So more proof they are producing better. Much better. That's why forcing all new construction to have solar would be extremely wise. And we do not have one share of stock in any solar company. That's just how much we can see the benefits of solar is all I'm saying.
peteg59
Meme Master
^...I believe Commiefornia requires solar on all new constructions. :Shrug:
Not sure I'd buy into forcing one to install solar on new builds, but it does sound like great technology once the bugs are worked out. Namely eliminating battery maintenance for storage grids.
Glad to hear its working for you Hcboy...
Not sure I'd buy into forcing one to install solar on new builds, but it does sound like great technology once the bugs are worked out. Namely eliminating battery maintenance for storage grids.
Glad to hear its working for you Hcboy...
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Yeah, when we lived off the grid for 3 years the battery maintenance was about 1 hour a month.
I think, now with lithium, the maintenance is near zero...but cost needs to come down some more.
Batteries have a 10 year warranty, panels 25 years...so it is getting there.
Kevin
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- #52
Concept: ATV
Nothing like having the aftermath of a midair flying car coalition fall on your home.
Lee H. Mann
Gone But Not Forgotten
The bumper sticker was probably only a couple of dollars !!!:Shrug:
I'm still ticked off at Popular Science and Mechanic Illustrated Magazine for mot keeping their word...
, Because back in the 50's/60's they the Magazines promised us that by the year 2000 we all will be commuting to work in Flying Cars.........
...
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- #56
Strap yourself into this "self righting" monster 2 wheel ATV.
Looks like a laughin insodent will happen when stopped
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- #58
Looks like a laughin insodent will happen when stopped
That's what the large "hydraulic quad pod" is for that is located in front of the rear wheel.
Still, this is one nasty looking machine....:shok:
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Concept: Bicycle of the Future
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Inner City concept vehicle by Sean Seongjun Ko. This back-to-the-future type of carriage is a sustainable, zero emission car..
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