Hotline...
I'm very much in favor of PV -- if done right.
I'm upset that this technology has been made political -- by the President.
But it's not just him.
Our Congress has decided to jump in with both feet WRT all matters electrical.
Like the crazy idea of eliminating the original Edison bulb.
There are many, many situations where the Edison bulb is a hands down winner -- starting with cold locations and intermittent use.
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Good electrical design can't be initiated in Washington DC. It's best left to EEs, ECs and J-men.
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I also am disturbed to see PV arrays mounted atop residences. It's a Science Fiction theme. But such a location is uneconomic -- forever.
Let's start with the roof falls typical of roofing contractors: their Workman's Comp Insurance is a fright. It can't be much different for PV installers. Does anyone think it through?
Next, the orientation of most homes ( mine ) is entirely contrary to effective PV collection. In my neighborhood the VAST majority of homes are entirely mis-oriented for PVs atop their roofs. HALF of the day is lost!
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PVs should be operated by experts -- and located in prime collection zones -- like Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and West Texas. These spots are enough to power the ENTIRE country -- with enough units!
Placing PVs in northern states with lousy weather is a complete loser on the economics.
Next, clouds are pure trouble for PV collection. Again, we need to use the dry desert conditions to get stability in collection.
Lastly, PV makes far more sense if it is used to boot up the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen solves the storage problem --and is massively useful in upgrading coal and heavy oil into viable motor fuels.
The President's heart is in the right place -- but his policies are adrift. Lowest cost/ most efficient is what can work. Nothing he says or does indicates to me that cost control is any part of his being.
I met him, in Hawaii, in 1983. He was home visiting his Grandmother. She lived on the 16th, penthouse floor in my condo. I lived directly below -- the 15th floor.
I found him most impressive -- even though his Grandmother was doing ALL of the talking.
Even in 1983 I figured he'd be HUGE in politics or acting. It was THAT obvious. He just had the look.
BTW, he's in a 1980's rock video, too. Dang, I wish I could find the Utube link.
In it you can see what I saw in 1983.
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As for PV manufacturers going under -- it's happening in China, too.
This is what happened in autos a century ago.
It's what happened to floppy discs in the mid 80s.
It's called brutal competition.
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BTW, there is an outfit that is attempting to PRINT solar collectors on a web-press.
( Web-presses print newspapers and magazines -- google web press. )
When that happens conventional notions of PV collection will be smoked into oblivion. Imagine: a collective surface spewing out at 40 to 60 mph, and 12 feet wide!
Its already been demonstrated on a pilot basis. Tomorrow may be coming sooner than you think.
Such a cheap collector would make the hydrogen economy realistic. Obama is just too early -- he needs to give the engineers enough time.
