Solar panels that make electricity are nothing new. Ever since I was old enough to think in an adult way, I have wanted a solar array of my own to harness the sun to make electricity. I have looked at the estimated costs to install them on a residential roof. I have learned that this would only be practical if you have a big electric bill to help offset the high initial cost of the solar panels. One proposal used an average of a $400 monthly electric bill to estimate the economic recovery of a solar installation. To this day I am still in dismay as to who could possibly have a bill that high. My electric bill hovers around $100 per month which calculates into a payback of over 30 years. That ruled me out.
A salesman for solar power tried to lead me to believe that many have electric bills in that range. Meanwhile my electric supplier continues to send me summaries that claim I am guilty of being an electricity hoarder and telling me my usage is well above average with only a $120 monthly bill. Someone, or both, are lying or trying to deceive me. This makes me curious to know what many of my peers pay monthly for electricity.
There is much to consider before installing solar panels on your roof: Will it make the roof leak? Will it truly save money? How much will it cost? Will it shorten the life of my roof? Will the solar panels really last as long as they say? Will they pay for themselves before they wear out? I guess I will never know. I do find it interesting that many of those who prepare for end of the world type scenarios rely on solar arrays for power in addition to their generators.
I would be more likely to embrace an electric vehicle if it was equipped with solar panels instead of paint. It only seems logical to me that if the car or truck relies on electricity for its operation that it should be equipped to harness it whenever it is outside in the daylight.
Speaking of electric vehicles, I have recently read some articles about range anxiety, the condition where the vehicle owners do not obtain anywhere near the range advertised before having to charge the batteries. Was there any regulatory oversight to guarantee these advertised statements?
It seems much of the world has successfully adopted rechargeable battery devices.
From saws to drills, smartphones to E-bikes, leaf blowers to string trimmers, battery operated tools have become widely accepted for most of America. Why can’t electric automobiles have the same amount of success? Is it because we cannot swap out the dead battery and install a fresh one while the other recharges? Perhaps DeWalt could give some trade secrets to the auto manufacturers. My DeWalt drill seems to have a battery that can last forever, however when it does go dead, it is always at the most inopportune time.
I will add this caveat; I generally shun battery operated tools in my construction practices. When I want to cut or drill for any quantity and efficiency, I use a tool with a cord. Several years ago, I went to buy a new battery for my cordless drill; I found the replacement battery cost exorbitant. Instead of paying $80 for a new battery, I bought a DeWalt drill and two brand new batteries for $120. This scenario sounds like what I have heard for EV owners.
I guess that means when I finally make the plunge for my first electric vehicle, it will have to have solar panels on it, or a cord, a looooooooooooooooooonnnnnng extension cord.
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