Why do people get such strong feelings over electric cars and solar panels etc.

[wafter]

Pigeons and other birds appear to a problem going on the number of ways the installers have of preventing them getting under.

Or, maybe they're just selling you something that you don't really need.

Maybe they offer a cut of their margins to an urchin with a big bag of sedated pigeons who climbs the drainpipes of non-believers..

 

[Tenkaykev]

That aside it seems there are still issues with solar such as the longevity / recycleability of the panels and associated gear, but it's now relatively mature tech and "free" energy, so what's not to like?

My panels are guaranteed for 25 years. You may have heard of the German company AEG, a multinational Electrical Engineering company that is very highly regarded. They have recently released their latest high power panels and are confident enough to offer a 40 year warranty. They also guarantee that after 40 years the panels will still be capable of outputting 87% of the original capacity. They're also extremely rugged with a temperature range of -40 to + 85 degrees.
The space station and a multitude of space satellites are powered by solar panels working for decades in the harsh environment of space.

 

[cougie uk]

That aside it seems there are still issues with solar such as the longevity / recycleability of the panels and associated gear, but it's now relatively mature tech and "free" energy, so what's not to like?

I've toyed with the idea a little; however the aversion to employing third parties plus the property's inherent unsuitability (orientation, shading from trees) makes it a bit of a non-starter, sadly.

Solar panels aren't new technology. They've been around decades. And if they're ok for outer space - they'll be fine on a roof in the UK.

Absolute no brainer to have them fitted if your building is suitable.

 

[Kingfisher101]

I don't think pigeons could get under properly fitted ones. Certainly haven't noticed the slightest sign of any under ours, and there are plenty of pigeons in the trees behind the house.

They are only a "white elephant" to people who don't ant them for personal reasons, or people whose roof is not really suitable, due to angles or shading.

We'll have had ours for two years in 3 days time, and to date have generated 19.13MWh. That is far from being a white elephant.

I think its the design of some of them that's the problem, not that they are not "properly fitted". There's been a lot of people having problems with this issue round here, that's why they have now had to have special netting put up.

 

[wafter]

My panels are guaranteed for 25 years. You may have heard of the German company AEG, a multinational Electrical Engineering company that is very highly regarded. They have recently released their latest high power panels and are confident enough to offer a 40 year warranty. They also guarantee that after 40 years the panels will still be capable of outputting 87% of the original capacity. They're also extremely rugged with a temperature range of -40 to + 85 degrees.
The space station and a multitude of space satellites are powered by solar panels working for decades in the harsh environment of space.

That's an impressive spec - shame they're not viable on this property as the reduced cost of energy is only one reason to reduce reliance on infrastructure in these uncertain times..

 

[Gillstay]

I think its the design of some of them that's the problem, not that they are not "properly fitted". There's been a lot of people having problems with this issue round here, that's why they have now had to have special netting put up.

The Pied Wagtails nest under mine each year and so out of interest we popped a couple of panels off to see what had occurred and there was a nest that was breaking down gradually, so we just brushed it off and put them back. Easier than working on bicycles.

 

[tinywheels]

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/great-reset-didnt-work-case-evs
👀

 

[cougie uk]

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/great-reset-didnt-work-case-evs
👀

I mean it's good therapy I suppose for crazy people to be allowed to write articles.

 

[CXRAndy]

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/great-reset-didnt-work-case-evs
👀

I read the article, the author has mis read the whole issue. He's trying to frame a narrative the USA don't want EVs. This is not the case in many parts of the USA

Basically the legacy car makers, cannot compete with Tesla and now the Chinese EV makers, especially in China (worlds biggest market). They have lost billions in attempting to sell their overpriced EVs . Also saddled with ICE productions which they're falling back on after scaling back their EV production lines

I don't think it will be so long before we see big car makers collapse under the burden of debt/loss of sales and trade union demands

 

[wafter]

I read the article, the author has mis read the whole issue. He's trying to frame a narrative the USA don't want EVs. This is not the case in many parts of the USA

Basically the legacy car makers, cannot compete with Tesla and now the Chinese EV makers, especially in China (worlds biggest market). They have lost billions in attempting to sell their overpriced EVs . Also saddled with ICE productions which they're falling back on after scaling back their EV production lines

I don't think it will be so long before we see big car makers collapse under the burden of debt/loss of sales and trade union demands

Maybe not in "many parts" but I suspect EVs are probably a harder sell in the US than over here given the greater distances typically travelled, relative cheapness of fuel and generally right-leaning / less progressive attitude.

I agree about the traditional vehicle manufacturers though - many were on the ropes already through mis-management, while I suspect they've all been dining out / at least surviving on the debt-fuelled hikes in new car prices; which of course will be greatly curtailed in the face of higher borrowing costs and recessions in many parts of the western world.

 

[FishFright]

Maybe not in "many parts" but I suspect EVs are probably a harder sell in the US than over here given the greater distances typically travelled, relative cheapness of fuel and generally right-leaning / less progressive attitude.

I agree about the traditional vehicle manufacturers though - many were on the ropes already through mis-management, while I suspect they've all been dining out / at least surviving on the debt-fuelled hikes in new car prices; which of course will be greatly curtailed in the face of higher borrowing costs and recessions in many parts of the western world.

They only sold 1 million or so EV's in U.S. last year .

 

[wafter]

They only sold 1 million or so EV's in U.S. last year .

... and they still sold around five times more IC vehicles than that. Plus, I think that "1 million" figure also includes hybrids so the number of pure BEVs will be correspondingly less.

 

[CXRAndy]

Maybe not in "many parts" but I suspect EVs are probably a harder sell in the US than over here given the greater distances typically travelled, relative cheapness of fuel and generally right-leaning / less progressive attitude.

I agree about the traditional vehicle manufacturers though - many were on the ropes already through mis-management, while I suspect they've all been dining out / at least surviving on the debt-fuelled hikes in new car prices; which of course will be greatly curtailed in the face of higher borrowing costs and recessions in many parts of the western world.

There is a very little difference travelling distance per day in the USA compared to UK around 35miles

So EV is very much doable. I also came across this Tesla driver experience of going 1000 miles down the USA . Tesla suggested he could recharge upto to 200 mile range in 20mins.
View: https://twitter.com/TesCalendar1/status/1758509538972754156?t=9fXLzx4u-0sgtrq7lad11g&s=19

 

[FishFright]

... and they still sold around five times more IC vehicles than that. Plus, I think that "1 million" figure also includes hybrids so the number of pure BEVs will be correspondingly less.

Includes plug in hybrids and was 15% of new car sales.

 

[CXRAndy]

... and they still sold around five times more IC vehicles than that. Plus, I think that "1 million" figure also includes hybrids so the number of pure BEVs will be correspondingly less.

How many electric cars were sold in the US in 2023?
"Today, I'm delighted to celebrate a milestone for American consumers and manufacturers: In 2023, more than 1.4 million electric vehicles were sold in the United States — a 50% increase in one year. And since President Biden took office, EV sales have more than quadrupled, with more than four million EVs on the road.5 Jan 2024

USA is domestically is behind the take-up curve compared to certain European countries and China, where they have gone full beans on EV adoption