Gallery, Projects and General > Neat Stuff
Solar power
rleete:
--- Quote from: Troutsqueezer on December 21, 2012, 01:42:02 PM ---I trust, Sir, that you will do better than "create scrap, one part at a time". :poke:
--- End quote ---
Thank goodness that I'm the designer, not the machinist!
Lew_Merrick_PE:
--- Quote from: DavidA on December 21, 2012, 02:25:55 PM ---The beamed energy had a much more sinister side effect. Heating the atmosphere as the microwaves passed through it. There was much discussion of the changes to weather conditions that would result from this.
--- End quote ---
Particle beams are different from microwaves. Microwave power density is limited by international law to 235 W/mē. The SkyLab experiment was only run for (about) 800 hours and there were no (at the time) measurable detrimental effects found. All the people behind this system insisted on a 40 year prototype test just to be sure that whatever evil nasties were hiding in the weeds were exposed. The original prototype test was supposed to have begun in November of 1982, but the program was cancelled in October of 1981.
Lew_Merrick_PE:
--- Quote from: Noitoen on December 21, 2012, 03:46:15 PM ---The big problem is keeping the mirrors clean and efficient
--- End quote ---
Also the usually overlooked issue with PV units.
Fergus OMore:
But how much has it really cost? I'm a bit of a sceptic recalling the concept of going further and further along a branch-- and -well- falling off.
I was in Germany in the summer and about every roof on farmhouse/ outbuilding had- solar panels. They didn't wait for research upon research, they got on with it.
However this Spanish thing. Very pretty and great for the bankrupt Spanish economy that wants a bail out from- well, me. OK, I've got a shower in my Spanish garden beside my pool. Out of sheer laziness or simply hard rock but the water heats up- with the sun simply being there.
I must assume that once a scientist has spent all those years learning to be a scientist, that someone has to justify all that expense- and to give him a job to go on and on- until he is dead-- and his research forgotten.
I like the idea of a very successful transport and caravan manufacturer in the North of England who originally got his central heating in his home by keeping the horses and cows- on the lower floor. Nuts? No, no really, they are still doing it in parts of Austria.
Cheers- and that
Norman
DavidA:
Norman,
..I was in Germany in the summer and about every roof on farmhouse/ outbuilding had- solar panels. .
Were they solar thermal or photo voltaic panels ?
Most of the Greek houses have the simple solar hot water panels. And they work very well.
But they would only be of limited use in the northern UK. However, with the rising cost of energy, any Watts you can grab for free are welcome.
Lew,
...Also the usually overlooked issue with PV units...
The Power Tower isn't a photo voltaic system. Just a massive array of mirrors focused on a point at the top of the tower. But agreed on the need to keep the mirrors clean.
Any one remember the Odeillo Solar Furnace ?
Dave
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=odeillo+furnace&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Nu3&tbo=u&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&channel=np&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=GpnVUIGlDerY0QW37YH4BA&ved=0CEgQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=629
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