[Byte1]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

I don't believe we were only talking about EV vehicles. That is only ONE change that has been made in other countries. In general, we were talking about how other countries have implemented ways to adapt to our changing world. Stronger structures to withstand storms, solar power, wind power, crops that can grow in drought conditions, etc.

Good for them. I've lived in many other countries and I've noticed how many of them that are supposed to be considered middle class earners are living no better than our poverty level. And I am including European countries in that statement. It is very easy to compare our GIANT country to the tiny countries that are able to live successfully in a socialist economy, where the gov controls everything from power to transportation. We do not have the mass transit infrastructure of those small countries. We are spread out and folks drive an hour plus each way to work every day, NOT ten minutes a few blocks away or a quick train ride to work. Americans have no patience and attempt to put the cart before the horse in many issues. Before you can power transportation or environmental conditions you must first understand and produce the power needed for those conditions. It's all about sufficient power and right now we have the machinery but not the adequate power. It's all about resources.
And I still don't think that man can do anything to control the world's climate control or change the so-call global warming or cooling. Unless, man decides to build huge domes to cover populated areas where they can have climate control.
Global Warming? Ok, so what? I enjoy warm, even hot weather. I doubt, I'll be around to see enough temp change to make a difference in my lifestyle. I'll leave all the worries to the Z generation, if they even have the intelligence to think given the drop in education quality in this country.

[biker1]

To supply The Villages with electric power, you would need about a 400 MW solar farm. This would cost about $500M and take up about 1000 acres of land. You would also need battery storage to be completely independent of outside power sources. If you wanted
enough battery storage for 1 day of average residential usage that may cost another $300M.

Originally Posted by Two Bills

I think you will find that the US is far from being on its own regarding the power sources you mention, in fact, compared to Europe, Scandinavia, and many other countries, America is lagging way behind.
When you consider the amount of sunshine that Florida alone gets, you would think a solar farm or two around/in The Villages, could probably make the place self sufficient for electric energy.
Probably show a profit selling surplus electricity to local grid.

[Normal]

We need to mine extra hard and tear up way more land to get our battery production going. We also need more factories to make batteries and tear down some of these windmills that are killing so much wildlife. When will we figure out what to do with all this dangerous waste from broken solar panels and nuclear reactors?

Just do all this and our environment will be fine…

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Byte1

Good for them. I've lived in many other countries and I've noticed how many of them that are supposed to be considered middle class earners are living no better than our poverty level. And I am including European countries in that statement. It is very easy to compare our GIANT country to the tiny countries that are able to live successfully in a socialist economy, where the gov controls everything from power to transportation. We do not have the mass transit infrastructure of those small countries. We are spread out and folks drive an hour plus each way to work every day, NOT ten minutes a few blocks away or a quick train ride to work. Americans have no patience and attempt to put the cart before the horse in many issues. Before you can power transportation or environmental conditions you must first understand and produce the power needed for those conditions. It's all about sufficient power and right now we have the machinery but not the adequate power. It's all about resources.
And I still don't think that man can do anything to control the world's climate control or change the so-call global warming or cooling. Unless, man decides to build huge domes to cover populated areas where they can have climate control.
Global Warming? Ok, so what? I enjoy warm, even hot weather. I doubt, I'll be around to see enough temp change to make a difference in my lifestyle. I'll leave all the worries to the Z generation, if they even have the intelligence to think given the drop in education quality in this country.

Be careful what you wish for! With extreme heat comes drought and famine in some areas. Strong storms and flooding, in others. If every state made a few small changes, that would help. Example: Several western states are at a risk of running out of water. However, residents act like it is a scare tactic and use more. Water conservation is easy to implement. But, very few want to.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by biker1

To supply The Villages with electric power, you would need about a 400 MW solar farm. This would cost about $500M and take up about 1000 acres of land. You would also need battery storage to be completely independent of outside power sources. If you wanted
enough battery storage for 1 day of average residential usage that may cost another $300M.

Plenty of space around TV and area for Solar energy. Our farmers earn a fortune from energy companies leasing/selling them land
As an example.
Our local village shop here in UK is powered by solar energy. It is roofed with solar tiles, and powers lighting, fridges, freezers etc.
Excess power generated is sold to and diverted into the National Grid.
In evening when no solar energy, shop buys back power from grid at national rate.
No batteries needed or involved.
In the four years it has been running its electric cost has been in profit.
Installation costs are the only outgoings, and will be paid off in 5 more years.
Given the amount of sun and daylight we get here in UK compared to Florida, I still maintain The Villages, and for that matter Florida are way behind the times and missing out on a source of energy that could lower costs dramatically.
Sometimes a little vision of the future, and what is down the road is needed.
Do I have it? No. Installation costs and upheaval involved in our present house would be prohibitive, but if I was building a new house, I wouldn't hesitate to install.
JMHO.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Plenty of space around TV and area for Solar energy. Our farmers earn a fortune from energy companies leasing/selling them land
As an example.
Our local village shop here in UK is powered by solar energy. It is roofed with solar tiles, and powers lighting, fridges, freezers etc.
Excess power generated is sold to and diverted into the National Grid.
In evening when no solar energy, shop buys back power from grid at national rate.
No batteries needed or involved.
...

What you describe saves money for the homeowner and possibly makes money if electricity can be sold back. Without batteries, it is only effective during sunny days but we do have a lot of those here. Perhaps the installation can be paid off in four years but that means no savings to the homeowner for those four years since the money is going back into the initial construction.

Is there really enough land around the Villages? Since I don't feel like looking it up, let's assume the 1,000 acres is correct. With a density of about five homes per acre here, that would require giving up an area that would otherwise be used to construct 5,000 new homes or about two year's worth of construction. If the developer gets even 10% of the price of the new home as profit then at $400K per home that would come out to about $200M in lost profit. Is it realistic to believe the developer would forego $200M worth of profit from new homes to build a solar farm to supply existing homes?

Will the electric company purchase excess power? There was a bill defeated last year that would have stripped much of the profitability of selling rooftop solar electric back to the company. Is it likely that the electric company would not fight tooth and nail to save themselves from having to purchase solar from a 1,000 acre farm? They would already be taking a loss of income from 80,000 homes so they certainly would not be interested in paying money back to those homes. If excess electric cannot be sold back to the company then it will take more than four years to pay back the initial investment.

Could it be done? Sure, nearly anything can be done. Is it feasible? I don't see a lot of companies currently attempting it which might be an indication that it is not.

[biker1]

I believe one of the issues with solar in Florida is the abundance of cheap electricity. This can result in a relatively long payback period for a solar installation. Also, the panels continue to drop in price so there is some incentive to wait.

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Plenty of space around TV and area for Solar energy. Our farmers earn a fortune from energy companies leasing/selling them land
As an example.
Our local village shop here in UK is powered by solar energy. It is roofed with solar tiles, and powers lighting, fridges, freezers etc.
Excess power generated is sold to and diverted into the National Grid.
In evening when no solar energy, shop buys back power from grid at national rate.
No batteries needed or involved.
In the four years it has been running its electric cost has been in profit.
Installation costs are the only outgoings, and will be paid off in 5 more years.
Given the amount of sun and daylight we get here in UK compared to Florida, I still maintain The Villages, and for that matter Florida are way behind the times and missing out on a source of energy that could lower costs dramatically.
Sometimes a little vision of the future, and what is down the road is needed.
Do I have it? No. Installation costs and upheaval involved in our present house would be prohibitive, but if I was building a new house, I wouldn't hesitate to install.
JMHO.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

I have been on several missions through our church. To say the USA is lagging behind is an understatement. I am amazed at what some countries have been able to achieve. Hopefully, we get our heads out of the sand soon.

Lagging behind WHAT? Jumping on the bandwagon of the largest scam in human history? Like Adolf said, the bigger the lie, the more people will believe it.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

Be careful what you wish for! With extreme heat comes drought and famine in some areas. Strong storms and flooding, in others. If every state made a few small changes, that would help. Example: Several western states are at a risk of running out of water. However, residents act like it is a scare tactic and use more. Water conservation is easy to implement. But, very few want to.

That’s cause too many people moved to desert where it don’t rain and have grass lawns, swimming pools, and grass golf courses. They are wasting water and over populated for area. Just like building on outer banks then wonder why get blown away by hurricanes.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Lagging behind WHAT? Jumping on the bandwagon of the largest scam in human history? Like Adolf said, the bigger the lie, the more people will believe it.

Lagging behind on ADAPTING. You must admit, we have seen quite a bit of devastation due to hurricanes, extreme heat, drought and flooding.Is the cause man-made? Like you, I'm not sure. Is the theory of Global Warming true? Can/Will Mother Nature reverse the warming trend? Again, I'm not sure.

I go on missions for the here and now. To me, changing and adapting makes sense. Are you so certain that this devastating weather pattern will end in one year? Two? Three? How many? In the meantime, I believe it is wise to make plans and to place them in action.

The USA is not doing much. Is our country right? Are the other countries wasting their time and money? It is not a gamble I would like to make. If the devastating weather pattern continues, those who have not adapted will suffer the most.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by biker1

I believe one of the issues with solar in Florida is the abundance of cheap electricity. This can result in a relatively long payback period for a solar installation. Also, the panels continue to drop in price so there is some incentive to wait.

Good point.Your electricity is very cheap anyway.
Here in UK electricity is expensive
We have loads of solar and wind farms, so someone must be making a profit from them
Farmers queue up to have them on their land, as they are well paid for the land used, and of course big Government subsidies (Tax payers money) are paid as well.
They reckon about 12 years for normal use domestic solar payback time in UK.

[Normal]

It cracks me up when alarmists scream the oceans are rising. Yes, they are rising and have been for the past 50,000 years. Ancient underwater cities used to all be above the water line. Yet, you hear them scream like there is something new or something can be done. They should rely more on evidence and science and less on political agendas.

[JRcorvette]

Global Warming is Hogwash….just another way to Control You and get Your Money!!!

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Normal

It cracks me up when alarmists scream the oceans are rising. Yes, they are rising and have been for the past 50,000 years. Ancient underwater cities used to all be above the water line. Yet, you hear them scream like there is something new or something can be done. They should rely more on evidence and science and less on political agendas.

The Mississippi River is at the lowest levels recorded. In July, The Army Corp of Engineers had to quickly devise a means to stop the salt water intrusion from the Gulf that could destroy the river.

Months later, the river is still at low levels. This is reducing the amount of grain and other crops that can be sent by barge. Many farmers have lost $25,000 to $50,000 this season due to this inability to ship their crops.

One slight variance in the planet, in this case high ocean water and low river water, can create economic disaster and even famine. Alarming situations, like my example, are occurring around the world. This is not humorous . Unless, you can survive without food and water. If you can, then laugh until your "extraordinary" belly aches.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

The Mississippi River is at the lowest levels recorded. In July, The Army Corp of Engineers had to quickly devise a means to stop the salt water intrusion from the Gulf that could destroy the river.

Months later, the river is still at low levels. This is reducing the amount of grain and other crops that can be sent by barge. Many farmers have lost $25,000 to $50,000 this season due to this inability to ship their crops.

One slight variance in the planet, in this case high ocean water and low river water, can create economic disaster and even famine. Alarming situations, like my example, are occurring around the world. This is not humorous . Unless, you can survive without food and water. If you can, then laugh until your "extraordinary" belly aches.

The world will change, what perhaps can be entertaining is watching man expel labor to control a planet that is still going to do as it wishes. Cities that have been under water for several millennia were never put there by mankind’s pollution. We cannot make the planet do as we wish. It will change constantly, the real question is can we adapt?

I personally am not entertained by someone’s misery. I just know what I see as out of our control. Can you change the Earth’s rotation speed? Can you make the Earth tilt more or less than its 28.5 degrees? Can you make it orbit closer or farther from the sun? All these events happen, but I don’t think you can control them.