Some ideas and accomplishments seem to just fit and these are easily recognized. The discovery of DNA came about at a time
when encoding was something people were thinking about. It just fit and was recognized with a prize. Some discoveries that are
true and important may not fit right away, people's thinking needs to stretch so much that recognition comes only when it is
too late to award a prize.
My point, then, is that seeking after recognition is likely to limit your final level of accomplishment. The goal of the X-prize is
admirable, and those who compete grow from the challange. This is all good. But inner motivation moves people much further.
----
Change the world: solar is for you. http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
Copernicus never got a prize. His accompishments were just too large to be recognizable. Prizes, especially those
mentioned with fixed goals are a lot of fun, but can the truely innovative be discerned in time to reward the inovator?
Only sometimes I think.
----
Go Solar: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
Your absolutely right! This is one of the funniest aspects of the whole thing. The only power source we can't compete with on price
is hydro. If you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. Wind, hydro, tidal and solar only need to be maintained, they don't
need to be fed. If feeding you power source becomes awkward then the cost goes up. So, coal, gas, oil and nuclear end up rising in
cost is response to demand owing to problems with fuel transport and difficulties that arise from having used up the easy to get stuff already. Only a small fraction of the actual clean up costs for nonrenewables is reflected in the production cost for nonrenewables so while this conributes a bit to our competitiveness, you have to mainly use this as a consumer preference thing after reaching price parity.
While a portion of our cometitiveness arises from reduced distribution costs, the main trigger is the high price of fossil fuels.
In your area, you've been immune to this. Once we're fully scaled up, we might drop in cost below your hydro, and I'd be happy about
that because the ecosystems that large scale hydro disrupt are a huge loss, but for now don't anticipate walking across Puget Sound
on the backs of salmon right way.
----
Slashdot users can help you switch to solar! http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
Re:This is an inference -- not a prediction
on
New Ice Age Theory
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
One problem with asking for predictions in this case is that it would be very hard for you to confirm that
the next two cycles occured or not. So, one is pretty much stuck with trying to account for the past. This
is in the nature of observational science as opposed to experimental science. However, it is possible that
the model will have consequences which explain other observations, or which suggest new observations which
could help to test the validity of the theory. This is a theory about the solar interior. This is probed
by heliosiesmology and observations of solar neutinos. It seems a little hard to guess but perhaps a
tomogaphic result might test the theory. Certainly, local temperature fluctuations should lead to some
scattering of sound waves, a sort of mirage effect.
I'm actually mulling over writing a proposal to use the billing data from the solar power systems we're selling
to study the five minute solar oscillation. If we achieve our goal of 25% of the residential power market,
power production data with sufficent time resolution would make an increadibly sensitive photometric instrument.
Basically you can scrub clouds out of the data completely.
----
Get solar! http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-users -selling-solar.html
OK, I can't help it: The way Bert and I stemmed inflation was to tell the Secretary of the Treasury,
the shrivel up little man with the enormous right arm, "Mister Secretary, The law says you have to sign
your full name to each of them bills, no initial."
He gave us the dirtiest look, then started in signing his full name.
Well, if you don't mind the expense of having two of them, you could keep one charged at home, make
a quick pit stop, and off you go. If they can make the amps, they can take the amps.
Stop, stop, I can't help flogging this:
If you have solar power you can take your transportation off of fossil fuels too. The range issue
looks as though it may be fixed with this technology. Once you get an electric vehicle just add a
few solar panels to your locked in rate solar system and your fuel costs are fixed to. How is the
FED going to keep inflation at 3% if prices refuse to rise?
Your system sounds great! I hope they sent you a thank you note for the $380 they confiscated.
One way around both the issue of roof replacement once the panels are installed, and the degradation
with time is to rent solar power at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar.
You get a free uninstall-reinstall during the contract if you need to replace your roof and the system
size is adjusted on an ongoing bases to match your needs. So, it your needs remain constant, an
extra panel can be added once degradation becomes an issue. You might be able to do this too with your system.
What your working on sounds really good. I think for the residential market, the trick is to design the system
to meet usage over a year. Our rental systems are designed this way. If you don't feel it would be a conflict
of interest, I'd be really happy if you helped us out in what we're doing http://www.powur.com/mdsolar.
We design our systems to meet 100% of your annual use so yes, fluctuations in usage or in
cloud cover on an annual bases could mean that you over produce. Many utilites do not
pay retail when they do an annual reconcilliation so there is a chance that you get payed
less than what you paid. If you over produce by 3% in a year and the utility pays 50% of retail,
then you'd be out 1.5%. We don't want this to happen so we monitor the systems to watch
for trends in use, and add or remove panels to compensate (at no charge). We also design based
on peak annual solar radiation for your area rather than average to leave a margin. This hopefully leaves
factors that would make you overproduce in your control: a long
vacation might put you in the plus column if you don't set boinc going on every computer in the house.
Once utility rates go up comapred to the contract rate, you'll very likely be saving even if you
do over produce. If utility rates drop, you can get out of your contract for the cost of your
$500 deposit, something that would not be possible if you owned your system. So, renting offers a hedge.
----
Rent solar power at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar
In the US at least, the only power source we don't compete with is hydro in the North West
because it is too cheap. We only rent solar in the US though.
I don't have a completely fixed opinion on the astoturfing bill except that is was
vauge and thus dangerous, but apparently the IRS is getting into the same game
so there is more going on I think: http://slashdot.org/~Ungrounded+Lightning/journal/.
I think you need to be logged in to see this link.
Thanks, yes if you click into Service, System or Education there is a net metering link on the right,
but it could come in sooner and be clearer. I've just put in a support ticket.
I'm feeling down on subsidies and I'm not sure they are needed. Regulation is still needed since
electricty, at least at the retail level, is still single source for the most part.
One of the neat things about solar panels is that they are so valuble even after they have
degraded by 20% (typically in 30 years). They are still solar grade silicon so they are worth
about $25/kilo as raw material for new solar panels. This pretty much ensures a cradle-to-cradle
type-treatment http://www.mcdonough.com/ for solar panels, and this is certainly part of
our business model. Did you get my question on your blog about vondage?
I think I'll blog on cap-and-trade soon (note to Sierra Club Board: don't support it!)
but that mechanism might be a little bit in line with Adam Smith.
But if you think that analysis is flawed, you can still work out a way to invest even more
by switching to solar personally. Look at the calcualator at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdolar
for a low balled savings estimate (2.2% estimate of annual electric rate increase I thing) and 9% return
on the invested savings.
Solar panels are now good for about 30 years, and if you rent from us, we handle the disposal and leave your roof in good shape. Note that
since they are still solar grade silicon, they only need to be recycled. They are worth about
$25/kilo as raw material.
Even better, you can outsource all the back and forth with the utility, construction permiting and other hassles,
avoid the upfront costs, and lock in your rate for 25 years by renting solar. Look at the estimated savings using the
calcualtor at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar.
Net metering overcomes the day to day and durinal issues by keeping kWh credits alive for
a year. Then you are building up credits in the spring and fall and using them in the
winter (short days) and summer (AC is a hog). But even in summer you're helping out because
you are reducing peak demand by covering much of your AC yourself. This'll mean fewer
grid stress blackouts.
There is really no reason to worry about price anymore. You can rent solar for what you
are paying now with no installation cost and a locked in rate of up to 25 years at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar.
The way we manage the roofing issue is to offer one free deinstall-reinstall during the
contract (25 years). This is shared with the one free move provision but this
might work out pretty well in some cases. For example, my parents are feeling that they might
need to put on a new roof to sell their house. In this case, the move and the new roof
come together in time. You'll want to read the contract but http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar
might be for you.
Thanks, I forgot to add that we've missed some smaller utilities so as a RFI if you
don't see your utility in one of the dark blue states please let me know by email
off my home page http://jointhesolution.com/mdsolar. Light blue states are OK too
but there is a greater chance that the utility just does not do net metering.
Some states have begun to address this but the solution is not complete. In Maryland
your bill comes in three parts. There is the charge for electricity in cents/kWh,
there is a smaller distribution charge also in cents/kWh, and there is a connection charge,
a monthly flat fee.
For my electric Coop, SMECO http://www.smeco.com/ Eugene Bradford of the rates group
gives a rough breakdown: The electricity charge is largely what SMECO pays its suppiers though
some saleries for the coop's buyers come out of this. The distribution charge and the connection
charge cover the infrastructure build out and up keep: Service trucks, billing, linesmen's pay, materials
all of that.
The break down in the charge was to allow choice in the supply, so that if you want to work with
a green energy supplier you can substitute their rate in the electricity charge.
The issue with net metering is that you avoid the distribution charge but you might be be using the
infrastructure to a greater dergree than the connection charge covers.
In Maryland, the very low cap on total net metering (34.7 MW) means that there is no practical issue
just now. But, some rate restructuring may be needed according to Phillip VanderHeyden at the
Maryland Public Services Commission http://www.psc.state.md.us/psc/index.htm if Maryland
gets with the program like New Jersey and a number of other states with no caps on net metering
enrollment.
For now though, people in Maryland who sign up for net metering at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar can
save money right away, albeit with a tight limit (8500) on how many can participate, because they will avoid the distribution charge. And, BGE customers can even
avoid their huge rate increase if they are quick and get 8.8 cents/kWh. Soon, the BGE rate increase
will be reflected in the rates we offer since BGE's regualtory filing is now available. In other states
compare the offered rate with you're electric bill to see if you get immediate savings. You can use
the calculator in the last link to see projected savings that result from the 25 year rate lock in.
Slashdot Mirror
It looks like an ID, and it smells like an ID, but once you scrape all the numbers off it's still an ID. http://www.bertandi.net/mp3/thesassage.mp3s -selling-solar.html
---
http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
How about the Nobel and the Fields? But if you want some quick cash try one of these: http://www.claymath.org/millennium/s -selling-solar.html
---
http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
Some ideas and accomplishments seem to just fit and these are easily recognized. The discovery of DNA came about at a time when encoding was something people were thinking about. It just fit and was recognized with a prize. Some discoveries that are true and important may not fit right away, people's thinking needs to stretch so much that recognition comes only when it is too late to award a prize.
s -selling-solar.html
My point, then, is that seeking after recognition is likely to limit your final level of accomplishment. The goal of the X-prize is admirable, and those who compete grow from the challange. This is all good. But inner motivation moves people much further.
----
Change the world: solar is for you. http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
Copernicus never got a prize. His accompishments were just too large to be recognizable. Prizes, especially those mentioned with fixed goals are a lot of fun, but can the truely innovative be discerned in time to reward the inovator? Only sometimes I think.s -selling-solar.html
----
Go Solar: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
Your absolutely right! This is one of the funniest aspects of the whole thing. The only power source we can't compete with on price is hydro. If you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. Wind, hydro, tidal and solar only need to be maintained, they don't need to be fed. If feeding you power source becomes awkward then the cost goes up. So, coal, gas, oil and nuclear end up rising in cost is response to demand owing to problems with fuel transport and difficulties that arise from having used up the easy to get stuff already. Only a small fraction of the actual clean up costs for nonrenewables is reflected in the production cost for nonrenewables so while this conributes a bit to our competitiveness, you have to mainly use this as a consumer preference thing after reaching price parity.
s -selling-solar.html
While a portion of our cometitiveness arises from reduced distribution costs, the main trigger is the high price of fossil fuels. In your area, you've been immune to this. Once we're fully scaled up, we might drop in cost below your hydro, and I'd be happy about that because the ecosystems that large scale hydro disrupt are a huge loss, but for now don't anticipate walking across Puget Sound on the backs of salmon right way.
----
Slashdot users can help you switch to solar! http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
One problem with asking for predictions in this case is that it would be very hard for you to confirm that the next two cycles occured or not. So, one is pretty much stuck with trying to account for the past. This is in the nature of observational science as opposed to experimental science. However, it is possible that the model will have consequences which explain other observations, or which suggest new observations which could help to test the validity of the theory. This is a theory about the solar interior. This is probed by heliosiesmology and observations of solar neutinos. It seems a little hard to guess but perhaps a tomogaphic result might test the theory. Certainly, local temperature fluctuations should lead to some scattering of sound waves, a sort of mirage effect.
s -selling-solar.html
I'm actually mulling over writing a proposal to use the billing data from the solar power systems we're selling to study the five minute solar oscillation. If we achieve our goal of 25% of the residential power market, power production data with sufficent time resolution would make an increadibly sensitive photometric instrument. Basically you can scrub clouds out of the data completely.
----
Get solar! http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
Actually I just blogged on this. For global warming it is very hard to blame carelessness. http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/knowing-warmin g.html
s -selling-solar.html
But, you can still do something about it: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
I got a Precision in 1999 with redhat on it. LinuxCare did the support contract. But Dell seemed to slack off after that.s -selling-solar.html
---
Renting Solar: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
OK, I can't help it: The way Bert and I stemmed inflation was to tell the Secretary of the Treasury, the shrivel up little man with the enormous right arm, "Mister Secretary, The law says you have to sign your full name to each of them bills, no initial."
p 3
He gave us the dirtiest look, then started in signing his full name.
Here's another: http://www.bertandi.net/mp3/camdenpiercenewyork.m
Well, if you don't mind the expense of having two of them, you could keep one charged at home, make a quick pit stop, and off you go. If they can make the amps, they can take the amps.
s -selling-solar.html
Stop, stop, I can't help flogging this:
If you have solar power you can take your transportation off of fossil fuels too. The range issue looks as though it may be fixed with this technology. Once you get an electric vehicle just add a few solar panels to your locked in rate solar system and your fuel costs are fixed to. How is the FED going to keep inflation at 3% if prices refuse to rise?
I've started keeping a list of users who can help you get a solar power system: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
What drives competitiveness these days in not physics but price. Electricity is very expensive in the North East, so solar is very competitive there. http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= /20070117/NEWS/701170342/1002/BUSINESS
s -selling-solar.html
What has only just started is giving the same deal to homeowners that Walmart, Staples, GM, FedEx and others get.
Slashdot users are starting to make a difference in this http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/slashdot-user
Your system sounds great! I hope they sent you a thank you note for the $380 they confiscated.
One way around both the issue of roof replacement once the panels are installed, and the degradation with time is to rent solar power at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar.
You get a free uninstall-reinstall during the contract if you need to replace your roof and the system size is adjusted on an ongoing bases to match your needs. So, it your needs remain constant, an extra panel can be added once degradation becomes an issue. You might be able to do this too with your system.
Using a rental model I think we can get to very large market share for solar. I think this sort of puts things in another light with respect to nuclear power: http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/why-renewables -displace-nukes-first.html
----
Rent the Sun?!? http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar
What your working on sounds really good. I think for the residential market, the trick is to design the system to meet usage over a year. Our rental systems are designed this way. If you don't feel it would be a conflict of interest, I'd be really happy if you helped us out in what we're doing http://www.powur.com/mdsolar.
We design our systems to meet 100% of your annual use so yes, fluctuations in usage or in cloud cover on an annual bases could mean that you over produce. Many utilites do not pay retail when they do an annual reconcilliation so there is a chance that you get payed less than what you paid. If you over produce by 3% in a year and the utility pays 50% of retail, then you'd be out 1.5%. We don't want this to happen so we monitor the systems to watch for trends in use, and add or remove panels to compensate (at no charge). We also design based on peak annual solar radiation for your area rather than average to leave a margin. This hopefully leaves factors that would make you overproduce in your control: a long vacation might put you in the plus column if you don't set boinc going on every computer in the house.
Once utility rates go up comapred to the contract rate, you'll very likely be saving even if you do over produce. If utility rates drop, you can get out of your contract for the cost of your $500 deposit, something that would not be possible if you owned your system. So, renting offers a hedge.
----
Rent solar power at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar
In the US at least, the only power source we don't compete with is hydro in the North West because it is too cheap. We only rent solar in the US though.
I don't have a completely fixed opinion on the astoturfing bill except that is was vauge and thus dangerous, but apparently the IRS is getting into the same game so there is more going on I think: http://slashdot.org/~Ungrounded+Lightning/journal/ .
I think you need to be logged in to see this link.
Thanks, yes if you click into Service, System or Education there is a net metering link on the right, but it could come in sooner and be clearer. I've just put in a support ticket.
I'm feeling down on subsidies and I'm not sure they are needed. Regulation is still needed since electricty, at least at the retail level, is still single source for the most part.
One of the neat things about solar panels is that they are so valuble even after they have degraded by 20% (typically in 30 years). They are still solar grade silicon so they are worth about $25/kilo as raw material for new solar panels. This pretty much ensures a cradle-to-cradle type-treatment http://www.mcdonough.com/ for solar panels, and this is certainly part of our business model. Did you get my question on your blog about vondage?
I think I'll blog on cap-and-trade soon (note to Sierra Club Board: don't support it!) but that mechanism might be a little bit in line with Adam Smith.
To see why I'd advise against continuing to invest in nuclear power see http://mdsolar.blogspot.com/2007/01/why-renewables -displace-nukes-first.html.
But if you think that analysis is flawed, you can still work out a way to invest even more by switching to solar personally. Look at the calcualator at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdolar for a low balled savings estimate (2.2% estimate of annual electric rate increase I thing) and 9% return on the invested savings.
Solar panels are now good for about 30 years, and if you rent from us, we handle the disposal and leave your roof in good shape. Note that since they are still solar grade silicon, they only need to be recycled. They are worth about $25/kilo as raw material.
Even better, you can outsource all the back and forth with the utility, construction permiting and other hassles, avoid the upfront costs, and lock in your rate for 25 years by renting solar. Look at the estimated savings using the calcualtor at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar.
Net metering overcomes the day to day and durinal issues by keeping kWh credits alive for a year. Then you are building up credits in the spring and fall and using them in the winter (short days) and summer (AC is a hog). But even in summer you're helping out because you are reducing peak demand by covering much of your AC yourself. This'll mean fewer grid stress blackouts.
There is really no reason to worry about price anymore. You can rent solar for what you are paying now with no installation cost and a locked in rate of up to 25 years at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar.
The way we manage the roofing issue is to offer one free deinstall-reinstall during the contract (25 years). This is shared with the one free move provision but this might work out pretty well in some cases. For example, my parents are feeling that they might need to put on a new roof to sell their house. In this case, the move and the new roof come together in time. You'll want to read the contract but http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar might be for you.
Thanks, I forgot to add that we've missed some smaller utilities so as a RFI if you don't see your utility in one of the dark blue states please let me know by email off my home page http://jointhesolution.com/mdsolar. Light blue states are OK too but there is a greater chance that the utility just does not do net metering.
Some states have begun to address this but the solution is not complete. In Maryland your bill comes in three parts. There is the charge for electricity in cents/kWh, there is a smaller distribution charge also in cents/kWh, and there is a connection charge, a monthly flat fee.
For my electric Coop, SMECO http://www.smeco.com/ Eugene Bradford of the rates group gives a rough breakdown: The electricity charge is largely what SMECO pays its suppiers though some saleries for the coop's buyers come out of this. The distribution charge and the connection charge cover the infrastructure build out and up keep: Service trucks, billing, linesmen's pay, materials all of that.
The break down in the charge was to allow choice in the supply, so that if you want to work with a green energy supplier you can substitute their rate in the electricity charge.
The issue with net metering is that you avoid the distribution charge but you might be be using the infrastructure to a greater dergree than the connection charge covers.
In Maryland, the very low cap on total net metering (34.7 MW) means that there is no practical issue just now. But, some rate restructuring may be needed according to Phillip VanderHeyden at the Maryland Public Services Commission http://www.psc.state.md.us/psc/index.htm if Maryland gets with the program like New Jersey and a number of other states with no caps on net metering enrollment.
For now though, people in Maryland who sign up for net metering at http://www.jointhesolution.com/mdsolar can save money right away, albeit with a tight limit (8500) on how many can participate, because they will avoid the distribution charge. And, BGE customers can even avoid their huge rate increase if they are quick and get 8.8 cents/kWh. Soon, the BGE rate increase will be reflected in the rates we offer since BGE's regualtory filing is now available. In other states compare the offered rate with you're electric bill to see if you get immediate savings. You can use the calculator in the last link to see projected savings that result from the 25 year rate lock in.