Even the EV guy gets it..

Yes

 

Do you represent the homeowner?

 

I can say this. This whole clean energy thing is farther from clean than coal was in 1900. My nephew works for a company in Manchester New Hampshire that builds the little disks that collect or transform or whatever the solar power. I hear his rambling but don’t really pay any attention when he’s around here. So these crystals as he calls them are man made under high heat and high pressure, just shy of making industrial diamonds. The heat comes from electric resistance and he pressure is electric over hydraulic computer controlled. They have 2 separate lines coming into their building to run 1 machine to make these crystals. They are basically like an extrusion, a few feet long and maybe couple inches round. When they fire his machine that takes 8-10 hours to make a crystal the lights dim at the restaurant next door until the electricity catches up. Ok great, they have things going right? These crystals need to be perfect! Any imperfections they are tossed in the dumpster. Ok for the survivors, they are sliced down to many thin disks. That’s easy right? Nope, one little boo boo and the crystal shatters so if it’s the first cut the whole thing is ruined so better hope it’s the last. Statistics are 1 out of 4 actually are completed to specs and all the little disks survived. Now to the next phase, this company is one of very very few in the world that make these. Big thoughts were to build a second machine, power company said they could not provide the electricity in that area. They already have 2 totally separate lines coming from different sources and it’s not 100% whaypt they need and neighbors are complaining. Well we will do the next best thing, go to CHINA and give them our technology to build these things, we all know how clean china is right? Then he life span isn’t really all that great so now they are filling a landfill because what else do you do with them?

 

I'm a Building Commissioner. In Massachusetts every town is required by Mass General Law to have a Building Commissioner/Inspector of Buildings to enforce the State Building Code (along with about a million other codes usually including Zoning By-Laws).

Photovoltaic systems require a Building Permit and an Electrical Permit prior to installation. I have to issue the permit and inspect the work. I have an electrical inspector for the electrical portion. Its to guarantee a minimum level of safety and to ensure the system is installed properly. It does in large protect the homeowner from shoddy workmanship.

Without our blessing the system cannot be turned on by the grid.

 

So true

 

Oh I'm with ya man...I ain't really buyin all the hype (literally)
The only solar panel I've ever bought was a small one to charge equipment batteries in a building with no power to it.
And the first panel lasted about 2 months past its 5 year warranty!

 

Had another good laugh today at a MTD dealer, whom MTD was acquired by Stanley Black and Decker who also owns Dewalt. The entire acquisition of MTD revolves around Dewalt branding electric lawnmower and snowblowers and not just homeowners stuff but commercial. Dewalt has been kind of a leader in cordless tools and has experience but nothing like this. The plan is to have in a couple years commercial zero turns capable of running 8 hours on a single charge. They are using MTD designs for the chassis. I asked the dealer if he thought this was possible or even feasible with the number of battery powered Toro snowblowers that were returned because they sucked so bad. He said no way possible with the current technology and doesn’t see that technology coming online for at least another 10 years.

 

I've had to deal with solar panels on roofs, and let me tell you they will cost the homeowner a freaking pile of dough. One company said the solar company would take them down and then put them up again, but that company went boobs up. Plus I told them that I would refuse to warranty the new roof because the original job was botched, which caused the roof to fail prematurely anyway. I ended up tearing them off, and about 600 square feet or so of roof sheathing. Even had to sister the rafters because of degradation of the trusses. inspectors are just about worthless around here.

One another job, the solar company put a large array on a roof that only had a few years left. Home owners were shocked at the bid. Come to find out that their house was taxed higher because it appraised higher. Goodness, who would have thought! I tell older couples to tear them things off if they are thinking of leaving their house to kids or something. They aren't doing them any favors by slapping that stuff on.

 

You didn't. I've just been here since 2014 to avoid the kind of negative noise that other forums have. If Firewood Hoarders is moving in that direction I'll happily show myself out with no hard feelings.

 

A lot of towns around here have voted in not taxing solar/wind/geothermal energy constructs for homeowners. But I'm sure a lot haven't.

 

MTD Headquarters in Valley City, OH is less than 10 miles from my house...I will stop in and check on there progress!

 

Don’t know if MTD or Dewalt, it’s branded Dewalt but using MYD chassis tech. Don’t even know if they have started anything.

 

No chit, my exact point. This new deal is supposedly going to break the barrier but doesn’t have the tech to do so. A commercial zero turn expected to mow 8 hours isn’t possible. Toro made a full-size snowblower 60 volt and if it was more than a couple inches max or wet it’s absolutely junk. Big fail. Those chainsaws how many 30inch white pine is someone going to drop and limb and size for market? Zero is my guess. Weed wackers, we got my 80 year old MIL a battery stihl because she can’t pull a gas powered one over anymore, she doesn’t do much and the battery is dead. And as you said they ain’t cheap at all!

 

The weed whacker, or granny?

 

Both. Actually she’s still does pretty good for 80. Her mother stopped push mowing her lawn at 94 and she takes right after her.

 

Our neighbor across the road is 98 and still rides the zero turn mower (the dealer modded it with a hand rail to assist with on/off) and works in the veggie garden!

 

Wife’s from southern Aroostook county edge of tater country and in the heart of massive woodlands. MIL never knew her dad as he was killed in some accident before she was born. Gram Lucy remarried and the new dad claimed her and they had a few more kids. He died when MIL was in High school. Gram Lucy was me tough bird, worked the potato fields did odd jobs worked at the local grocery store whatever it took to raise her family herself. Never drove a car, scared chitless of the idea. Lived alone until she was 97 and got a summer cold. Turned to pneumonia and dead in three days. Had all her wits still and her memory was spot on deafer than a hake though.

 

I agree. The battery stuff is highly touted but really only good for small occasional work. No one who’s doing a lot of mowing, tree work, trimming, etc would consider them as a serious option. The tech just isn’t there yet. I agree the tech isn’t new either. Electrak made electric garden tractors starting back in 1969 up to the mid 70’s.

 

I think I remember seeing them as a kid in popular mechanics magazine as an amazing new "thing ".
Remember the "flymow" anyone?