Now that's a bright idea

This section is for any articles of news that you come across that are of interest to other members. Please write a short description and then provide a link to the relevent website of the item. Please be aware that sometimes the website showing the details may be removed. If you later on find the link not working, please advise a Mod so it can be removed.
native pepper
Posts: 1158
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:21 am
Location: Tasmania

Now that's a bright idea

Post by native pepper »

"Scientists have invented window blinds that store solar energy and are capable of slashing 70 per cent off homeowners' energy bills.

The creators of SolarGaps claim it is the world's first 'smart blind' that can store solar energy in a battery and is being marketed as an alternative to rooftop solar panels."

A set of blinds is expected to sell for around £210 ($270).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... ttery.html

If these work out, you could put them on all the windows of MH or van and all round your home. They would probably stop a lot of heat coming in as well and along with panels on your roof, you can have total independence from the grid and your entire home will become a generator;

I see this as a way forward to enable just about every type of home and location being able to generate their own energy and all you need then, is lifpeo4 and we will have solved the energy price rise problems.
User avatar
El Gringo
Posts: 398
Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2013 1:48 pm
Location: Adelaide SA
Contact:

Re: Now that's a bright idea

Post by El Gringo »

very interesting idea, very promising I would think...

Cheers.
Bernie B
I plan to stop procrastinating tomorrow.
justgarbage

Re: Now that's a bright idea

Post by justgarbage »

Thanks for the link native pepper.
User avatar
Busman
Posts: 1201
Joined: Wed Dec 05, 2012 10:09 pm
Location: Stanthorpe QLD
Contact:

Re: Now that's a bright idea

Post by Busman »

Imagine a roll up awning made of them !
Only time we have looked for any solar was at STC, the sun was so low down there, even with 3Kw lying flat we would have liked a bit more.
Only had to travel north one day and plenty again. Next engineering project........... Naw squeeze a few more panels on.
Vanishing Point, almost ready to vanish
Suzuki GV more than ready to go NOW !
User avatar
dream4red
Posts: 4136
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Central Coast NSW

Re: Now that's a bright idea

Post by dream4red »

If we are to go away from using coal fired power, then solar is the obvious in this country. That idea looks ingenious, especially for the awning.


My questions is, why do schools and public buildings pay for electricity when they have such huge roofs that should be totally covered in solar panels? If we didn't have to supply their electricity, the country would run a lot cleaner.
Deborah


Just get out there and enjoy life
native pepper
Posts: 1158
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:21 am
Location: Tasmania

Re: Now that's a bright idea

Post by native pepper »

dream4red wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2017 12:19 am My questions is, why do schools and public buildings pay for electricity when they have such huge roofs that should be totally covered in solar panels? If we didn't have to supply their electricity, the country would run a lot cleaner.
Corporate profit growth is the only mantra political parties know, that's the only reason everyone is not on small local grids using their own solar and batteries. We've been off grid since 1976 and have moved home a number of times, but always go off grid. The economics, energy safety, reliability and of course peace of mind far outweigh the original cost.

These solar blinds are a great idea, but need some refinement and will certainly look at them when and if they make it to the market.
bagmaker
Posts: 886
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2013 4:56 pm
Location: Victoria

Re: Now that's a bright idea

Post by bagmaker »

dream4red wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2017 12:19 am If we are to go away from using coal fired power, then solar is the obvious in this country. That idea looks ingenious, especially for the awning.


My questions is, why do schools and public buildings pay for electricity when they have such huge roofs that should be totally covered in solar panels? If we didn't have to supply their electricity, the country would run a lot cleaner.
the payback time exceeds most political sitting timeframes.
User avatar
dream4red
Posts: 4136
Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Central Coast NSW

Re: Now that's a bright idea

Post by dream4red »

Bagmaker and native pepper, yes you are both right. Maybe we all should be screaming this suggestion at a lot of pollies. Instead of closing down coal fired power stations, make the power stations work better and use the sun a lot more.
Deborah


Just get out there and enjoy life
native pepper
Posts: 1158
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2015 8:21 am
Location: Tasmania

Re: Now that's a bright idea

Post by native pepper »

if we put solar every home designing and making the products in Aus, we wouldn't need any coal or gas powered generation. There is no need whatsoever for coal or gas, small local grids with central battery, or other generation methods would solve all out problems and if we built electric vehicles here, we'd turn our economy around rapidly and create many hundreds of thousands of real long term jobs. Plus give our kids etc a viable future, instead of unknown dying one.
User avatar
Busman
Posts: 1201
Joined: Wed Dec 05, 2012 10:09 pm
Location: Stanthorpe QLD
Contact:

Re: Now that's a bright idea

Post by Busman »

Unfortunately batteries are never going to be the be all and end all for those industries that consume lots of power, like aluminium smelters for instance, which would be one of the essential items in electric cars because of it's lightness.
Small scale local grids would simply not cater for these sort of demands.
A more realistic approach would meld some local generated stuff backed up by a bit of coal, don't you think ?
Vanishing Point, almost ready to vanish
Suzuki GV more than ready to go NOW !
Post Reply