Fun Stuff > CHATTER
Could this idea change the world for the better?
GarandMarine:
The economic factor has been pointed out to me as possibly being damaging.
The Seldom Killer:
There's a lot of elision in that video as to the true infrastructure required to institute this. In it's current form I doubt that the tech would be able to change the world for the better but in general it's an idea worth pursuing at least in the small scale/private sector.
Interesting point is that the amount of glass necessary over the top of the panels will hugely reduce their efficiency, which is still fairly low. Another point would be that in order to produce and install a full national programme would require a huge economic input and something in the region of a 50 year project scale. Before you reach completion, technology will have evolved to the point that continued progress and maintenance won't be viable. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be used and implemented in various scenarios, but a national project wouldn't be a wise choice.
As an aside, the last time I heard, the average US household uses something in the region of 30% more energy than it needs to in order maintain it's current lifestyle [citation not available]. Municipal, business and retail facilities are usually even worse than that. If you really want to effect real economic and environmental change then start by turning out the lights, both literally and figuratively. There is a reason the environmentalist's mantra puts Reduce before Reuse and Recycle.
jwhouk:
It's been pointed out to me elsewhere that the most ideal usage of this tech might be in parking lots for sports arenas and stadiums, or shopping malls. Imagine say the parking lot of the Rose Bowl being converted to a passive solar array. Or the top level of a parking structure in a downtown area of a city. Or even the parking area for a beach or a state park.
GarandMarine:
Yeah no kidding, outside of game day how often are those lots really filled?
jwhouk:
It'd be a big draw for colleges, I'd think - being techy enough and help justify (to a certain extent) parking lots.
Heck, the way most colleges are always looking for more parking, this would justify making new lots.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version