A few years ago it seemed like everybody was saying solar power was going to be a large source of energy in the future. Has this movement lost some momentum? I haven't heard much in the news about it lately.
gofar99 Messages: 1949 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, I guess in part it depends on where you live. Here (Arizona) it is having a rebirth. The first systems here were plagued by problems. Most involved hot water and leaked all the time. Now I'm seeing numerous photovoltaic systems and they seem to be OK. remote places like sheds and out buildings that are far from the power line are sprouting the systems. We have one on a shed that charges a deep cycle battery and in turns runs some 12 volt twisty florescent bulbs for lighting when we need it. Works great. BTW I had never encountered the 12volt twisties until I found them at an alternative energy store. They really simplify the set up. Solar array, controller, battery, bulbs and a few switches. I have another system that keeps my 12 volt battery / power supply charged in my shop. A solar UPS of a sort.
I've heard more about it lately, mostly in reference to powering hot water heaters. It still seems to be a niche energy source though; maybe as it becomes more efficient it will be more popular.
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