Mastodawn

Friends, thank you for stepping up! Over $40,000 worth of dash cams have been ordered so far for ICE observers in the Twin Cities!

Deliveries have just started trickling in, but we’re getting them packed and deployed as quickly as we can - many were installed yesterday.

Amazon list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7QT6UP7AIMB0

If you’re more into mail: Nick Benson, PO Box 2081, Burnsville, MN, 55337

Ben Dec 22

Still in the romantic phase of having solar and battery storage.
Today's topic. So many ways to receive and store energy.
1. Ran my cheap induction cooktop for 9 minutes to bring a 6 qt. thermal vacuum pot to a boil and let it cook rest of the day using no further battery power. Delicious food waiting...
2. Filled two insulated flasks - One with heated purified drinking water, the other I heated tap water for washing.
3. Opened the curtains to shine on insulated thermal mass to store heat and decrease space heating needs by heat pump.
4. Used a solar vacuum tube cooker to make two solar cooked meals. (outside temps in the 40's F)
5. Evening lighting, charging and laptop power also courtesy of the pv/battery system.
6. Don't overlook wool and second hand silk sweaters, wool blankets, controlling heat loss/gain.
What did I most enjoy while the batteries were charging up?
The hot potatoes waiting for me almost nine hours later.

Ben Dec 22

RE: https://mastodon.world/@Doppelganger75/115756011444983068

People here in the Great Lakes are talking to their legislators and trying to develop a path to okay rooftop solar and follow Utah's lead.

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Ben Dec 22

@The_Sun @UkeleleEric @Fat_Farang
Even before I had my solar system up, my electric bill could be $20 usd while multiple fees could add up to be $40 in addition to my actual use. Recently my state okayed increasing the fees to offset the building of solar for AI centers to be built and upgrading the transmission lines. (The latter we needed.) The public thought solar would benefit residents, but, citizens won't receive one watt from publicly funded AI solar projects if I understand one scenario presented.

Ben Dec 22

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The_Sun Dec 21

@UkeleleEric @Fat_Farang @Earth2Ben

The biggest electricity generator on the Australian grid is rooftop solar.

Often we have much more than we need.

Increasingly it is being soaked up by batteries to provide electricity into the peaks and overnight.

Ben Dec 22

UkeleleEric Dec 21

@Fat_Farang @Earth2Ben unfortunately, there is a bit of truth in that. But, at least you can reduce your bills and you are doing what you can.

Ben Dec 22

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UkeleleEric Dec 21

@Earth2Ben We managed to afford a smallish system with batteries nearly 3 years ago. It has reduced our costs ( including slightly reducing our gas bill, as there are times when we can not have the heating on at Spring and Autumn, and just 'top up' in a single room from the electric). But it does take having some money - originally, we had considered one about 5 years previously, but couldn't afford it.

In Germany, you can donate "balcony solar" to people who cannot afford the initial investment.

Quite often systems are also given for free after 20 years when they got old and only serve 80% (which is still considerable).

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Ben Dec 22

@csolisr
Several countries, like Germany, have embraced small solar systems that can be hung from a balcony or even propped up on the ground. Amazing to me, a conservative region of the United States, Utah, has endorsed this approach. The German version plugs into the wall socket, doesn't need permits and lowers electric costs. Such systems are manufactured to meet safety requirement for this use. Search online for balcony solar and Tom Stanton. (who recently spoke about them) Good luck Carlos!

Ben Dec 21

How can the poor afford solar? Its true its made, seriously as I know how to say it, almost impossible in the US. At the same time its more in reach than ever before. Look up 'balcony solar.' My six figure relatives can't see affording it. But with almost five years of saving and buying year by year on under $25k gross income I largely installed my solar system and am writing this on stored electric power at night after cooking dinner on an induction cooktop. I feel like there are ten billion things I could say, but instead I'll say this: There are definitely issues with this, but the potential for slowing down the increase in destroying the planet's ability to sustain any life we might recognize in the near future, is like a weight has been lifted off my soul and scales have fallen from my eyes. I'm definitely knocking down my winter energy costs and will cover all of my energy costs with solar and battery storage. Simple consumption means easy solution. There's more to it, but for now, this is what I will share.
#solar #renewableenergy #climatechange #Sun #ecosystem #energy