Absolute Foolishness - Chuck and Grass You'll probably agree with me.

[wd9]

Computers, at maximum power give off 30% of their power consumption as heat. 19Mw of electricity goes to producing waste heat. .

If not heat, what is the other 70% given off as?

[AlbertaFarmer5]

If not heat, what is the other 70% given off as?

I think someone out there doesn't understand the technical definition of work. Can a computer perform work, or is 100 % of the energy converted to heat?

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Chuck, so what you are saying is that the rest of the grid users are subsidizing your system by providing on demand energy for you to use as storage and paying for a more unstable grid. Storage is paid for, one way or the other.

Go into the boardroom of any company and tell them they don't need to worry about opportunity cost of their capital.

[jazz]

Just signed a contract for one to be installed this year.

Without a subsidy the estimated cost for a Kwh is 6.9 cents over 30 years. Saskpower is currently charging 11.8 cents for farms and it will go up alot in 30 years.

So who said that Solar needs a subsidy?

That equipment will wear out or be obsolete before its ever paid off. Life of panels is only about 20 yrs. And in 20 yrs solar will be so cheap and installed everywhere, it will be near free. Windmills spend more time down for maintenance and for safety in big winds than they are running.

Your project is already a dinosaur.

And to get into a business deal with the govt has to be the definition of insanity.

[blackpowder]

30 years?? Bahaha

[chuckChuck]

Chuck, so what you are saying is that the rest of the grid users are subsidizing your system by providing on demand energy for you to use as storage and paying for a more unstable grid. Storage is paid for, one way or the other.

Go into the boardroom of any company and tell them they don't need to worry about opportunity cost of their capital.

Sask Power is also investing in wind, solar and gas. Where is your evidence that this is going to cause an unstable grid? Sask-Power 50% renewables by 2030!

In this case I am covering the capital investment cost and supplying Saskpower's grid for other users when I have a surplus of low carbon electricity. So who is subsidizing who?

Whats the opportunity cost on your farm machinery and land?

In my case, this investment will more than pay for itself over its lifetime and lock in electricity at a cost of less than 7 cents a kwh for 30 years. And you think it is a bad investment?

[chuckChuck]

That equipment will wear out or be obsolete before its ever paid off. Life of panels is only about 20 yrs. And in 20 yrs solar will be so cheap and installed everywhere, it will be near free. Windmills spend more time down for maintenance and for safety in big winds than they are running.

Your project is already a dinosaur.

And to get into a business deal with the govt has to be the definition of insanity.

So you think utilities are going to give away their solar power for free! LMAO

Tier 1 panels come with 20 - 25 year performance guarantees in the 80 - 85% range. The actual life of panels will be longer.

Panels will be cheaper and more efficient in the future so replacing panels will cost less down the road.

[blackpowder]

For sure no telling where distribution costs going in future. House electricity really a pittance anyway.
If someone investing in a 30 year depreciable asset with cash, go for it.

[sumdumguy]

It will be interesting to hear how your solar energy system pans out for you. Glad to hear you put your money where your opinion is or “you practice what you preach”. You will be doubly grateful for sunshine. 1. It will use CO2 to produce green growth and food and keep your solar unit pumping!👍

[seldomseen]

Good for you Chuck. Solar has intrigued me since about grade 9 when the science teacher told us how the whole world would be using free energy from the sun in just a few short years. Being about 13 or 14 years old I thought that idea sure sounded good but that was in 1976 and all these years later we are about at the same spot.

Keep us updated with the installation process and how it turns out please. Pictures would also be helpful for a simple dirt farmer.