Comment 2D7 Re: Yep

Poll

Enough smartphones! I'd like to see more scientific progress in the field of:

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Yep (Score: 1)

by nightsky30@pipedot.org on 2014-07-09 11:49 (#2CM)

Pretty much what I voted for. Also what I donate to...And just in case any new pipers haven't seen it, or maybe you just live under a rock or in your parent's basement:

http://www.solarroadways.com/donations.shtml

Re: Yep (Score: 2, Insightful)

by kwerle@pipedot.org on 2014-07-09 16:23 (#2D1)

just in case any new pipers haven't seen it, or maybe you just live under a rock or in your parent's basement:
Or marybe you can do math.

Look, you want solar power? (and you should) Put panels on your roof.

Want solar parking lots? Put panels OVER the parking lot.

Both of these are easy, cost effective, and not experimental.

Solar roadways is an expensive pipedream distraction, not a solution.

Re: Yep (Score: 1)

by bryan@pipedot.org on 2014-07-09 18:08 (#2D5)

There is a stupidly long video on youtube about the infeasibility of solar roadways. Although there are a few good points, I'm not really sure why the video goes on to poo-poo the idea for 30 minutes. Or why the dissenters insist that it's a project to convert every inch of asphalt in the world to solar instead of just a few private parking lots. Or why they don't give constructive criticism instead of essentially calling the creators idiots.

Regardless, I can see why people have such a negative view on the solar roadway fund-raiser after sitting through that video.

Re: Yep (Score: 1)

by zafiro17@pipedot.org on 2014-07-09 18:19 (#2D7)

Hey, so maybe it's not (yet) suitable for entire roadways? Who cares? Maybe the tech will evolve, maybe the economics will keep it feasible for smaller-scale projects - who knows? I'm still glad to see people thinking about the future.

I've spent most of the last 20 years living and working in developing countries. Life in most of these places consists of:
  • poor power reliability, usually generated by burning diesel - the single most expensive and ecologically unfriendly solution out there
  • concrete buildings (houses, offices) with zero insulation, with window A/C units to keep the temperature down: huge energy consumption, and concrete has no natural insulation properties; it's ridiculous
  • water pollution, total unreliability of the water quality and frequent water shortages
  • ecological catastrophes in the making, especially decimation of fisheries or deforestation
  • douchebag politicians insisting this is the fault of (a) colonial powers or (b) regional superpowers
  • same douchebag politicians putting their full effort into getting internationally funded 'donated' projects to cure their ills.
Get smart, people! There are technological solutions to these problems! This is the kind of thinking that gets us places.

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