Electric tractor

[Steave]

I've noticed the advancement of solar panels and in my area are fields of solar panels. There must be something to their usefulness for the energy companies to invest. On the other hand I've read reports that most of the world would have to be covered in solar panels to supply our energy needs. At least someone is investing in technology to support a change.

Back to the electric powered tractors, I'm surprised to see a few products put into production. I'm grateful these companies are investing in technology and every time we buy these products we also are investing.

When solar panels first hit the market as a DIY product cost was about $7 / watt, now it's closer to $1 / watt. My source is the NT catalog. 1800 watt system for $1900 dollars. Of course this ain't some super system and other things are needed but the price of the panels themselves have become more affordable. Heck if it's gets down to .50 cents / watt I may jump in.

There is some very bright people in this world that could work together and solve numerous obstacles to come up with a better energy system worldwide but it all boils down to $$$$$ and as stated we simply can't afford it.

Lets get back to electric tractors building. Dang I sure would love to have one.

 

[/pine]

...I once was extremely optimistic about hot fusion. Of anything, I believe, it has more potential than anything else. Over time I realized that, as noted in my previous paragraph, that there was more to the equation than just energy: though, as I knew, with hot fusion there is the possibility of precision reclamation/recycling, which would help address the issue of minerals (recovery), w/o providing, though, for the creation of MORE. NOTE: yes, "hot fusion" exists in the form of the sun

Lastly, and perhaps this is why hot fusion (or even cold, which I was always highly doubtful over, feeling that it was a horrible distraction from hot fusion) could never be available, is that the powers that be wouldn't be the "powers that be" if everyone had the power of fusion. How much truth exists here is hard to say other than human nature has lots of history behind it...

Don't give up hope...plasma technology (fusion) is alive and well...a milestone was recently met by ITER

On the road to ITER: milestones

 

[cqaigy2]

Don't give up hope...plasma technology (fusion) is alive and well...a milestone was recently met by ITER

On the road to ITER: milestones

It will be interesting to see it.

 

[buickanddeere]

I've noticed the advancement of solar panels and in my area are fields of solar panels. There must be something to their usefulness for the energy companies to invest. On the other hand I've read reports that most of the world would have to be covered in solar panels to supply our energy needs. At least someone is investing in technology to support a change.

Back to the electric powered tractors, I'm surprised to see a few products put into production. I'm grateful these companies are investing in technology and every time we buy these products we also are investing.

When solar panels first hit the market as a DIY product cost was about $7 / watt, now it's closer to $1 / watt. My source is the NT catalog. 1800 watt system for $1900 dollars. Of course this ain't some super system and other things are needed but the price of the panels themselves have become more affordable. Heck if it's gets down to .50 cents / watt I may jump in.

There is some very bright people in this world that could work together and solve numerous obstacles to come up with a better energy system worldwide but it all boils down to $$$$$ and as stated we simply can't afford it.

Lets get back to electric tractors building. Dang I sure would love to have one.

Tell us how your solar panels power lights, cooking equipment, heating, air conditioning, water pumping, industry, hospitals and yard lights at night.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Tell us how your solar panels power lights, cooking equipment, heating, air conditioning, water pumping, industry, hospitals and yard lights at night.

I don't think anyone ever said that solar panels would be the one and only source of electrical energy. They are just one piece of the puzzle. Off grid friends are running their whole places on solar but have battery backup for night and the Alaskan ones have to supplement with generators in winter but for 3 months or so at least they don't have to buy fuel for their generators.

Grid tied solar systems could help immensely in just taking the excess demand from all the air conditioning in the sun belt!

With the exception of my welder all my electrical needs are met with my water wheel and because of the way I use my tractor an electric tractor would be perfect, (my electricity is cheap and I am constantly dumping excess load) although electricity and salt water don't always make the best companions

 

[buickanddeere]

How does the power utility stay in business when solar is paid premium dollars for daytime peak power . How does the utility with fossil, Nuclear and hydraulic pay the bills ?

 

[vvanders]

How does the power utility stay in business when solar is paid premium dollars for daytime peak power . How does the utility with fossil, Nuclear and hydraulic pay the bills ?

I know this is a radical thought but maybe they could also install solar panels as well?

 

[LouNY]

How does the power utility stay in business when solar is paid premium dollars for daytime peak power . How does the utility with fossil, Nuclear and hydraulic pay the bills ?

Good points;
While this thread has lost it's original line something to consider is with all the interest in the so called renewable energy wind and solar.
There are going to be some major problems as more and more wind and solar come on line, they are not a constant and stable rate of production,
clouds and wind changes can and do occur rapidly, when that happens the major conventional generators had to ramp up and or down rapidly to compensate
so that we as consumers don't see low or high voltages if the renewables are climbing they are having to cut down and loss efficiency and the when there is a
sudden drop from renewables they have to push there outputs to the max to smooth the power to us.
We as a people are being extremely short sighted not to be developing more hydro-electric capacity and (oh my here we go) nuclear plants and capability's.
The not in my backyard syndrome has to stop.

 

[buickanddeere]

I know this is a radical thought but maybe they could also install solar panels as well?

Serious or kidding with that answer ? How about we cut all subsidies for all wind, solar, hydraulic and tidal power . Then let the market iron out the industry for the lowest cost and most reliable power.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

I think the solar plants are just the same as an electric tractor, they both have their place in the puzzle and neither will "own" the market but both will have an important place.

In the long run I think economics will dictate usage but in the short term new technologies will need a leg up, although the "old" technologies are still getting plenty of legs up:/