Normal Is Boring: Solar Power

Friday, June 1, 2007

Solar Power - Use or Abuse?

A dialog between a boyfriend and a girlfriend.

5 years ago:
Girl - Hey... wanna go to this new movie? I heard it is full of crap
Guy - Why not. Sounds cool!

Today:
Girl - Al Gore is gonna talk about global warming. Wanna watch him on TV with me?
Guy - Absolutely!

I'm not sure how much this global warming is heating up the earth's atmosphere but it is sure enough barbecuing everyone's brain. While people fight, politicians argue and all of us through a million tons of shit into the air everyday, let us add some flavor to it here.

Based on my earlier blog "We don't, but birds do!" our good friend anonymous suggested he prefers solar panels to windmills. So let us see how this Sun dude is going to be of any help to us.

Here is a list of ways in which we can use Sun's energy

1. We can throw in some solar panels onto the laptops. Say, the top cover and the keyboard. This way it charges itself whether it is open or closed.
2. Make solar-cell skins for cellphones
3. solar panel rooftops (I think people are already working on this)

Do you have anything to add? Don't worry about practicality. Many great ideas are thought to be impractical initially because people lack that "vision" ;-)

Labels: atmosphere, fossil fuel, global warming, green house gases, pollution, solar, solar cells, solar energy, windmills

posted by bachi 15:24

6 Comments:

At 02 June, 2007 01:21, Anonymous said…

Oi, achei teu blog pelo google tá bem interessante gostei desse post. Quando der dá uma passada pelo meu blog, é sobre camisetas personalizadas, mostra passo a passo como criar uma camiseta personalizada bem maneira. Até mais.
At 02 June, 2007 20:53, bachi said…

I have no idea what this Brazilian (right?) dude wants me to do. I just got a gist of it. Thanks to the online translation websites. Anyway, thanks bro!
At 07 June, 2007 11:35, Anonymous said…

Anonymous Dude here:
1st: So Same guy/girl five years later?
It's interesting to note how many people either don't care about global warming or still feel "it is full of crap".

I don't have a preference for source of energy: e.g. wind vs solar panel. But I do feel what ever source is used should be "green" and cost effective.

Seems wind energy is in favor now,
see http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070606/ap_on_go_co/wind_energy;_ylt=AinC_V9sa3Vhl__gmWTMkExp24cA

When politicians are involved so is money.

The U.S. auto industry is complaining about making cars more fuel efficient, see http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070606/ap_on_go_co/fuel_economy;_ylt=AmbwQ.FRtZbaNNqXyBWEETNp24cA

Detroit has had over 15 years to catch up on this. Instead what they pushed was SUVs, Hummers, and less efficiency.

If you are on the railroad tracks and see the train coming logic dictates to move or you are going to get smacked.

Many ideas that are impractical today need not be impractical tomorrow. In the early 1900's travelling from the US to Europe by plane was impractical.

Solar panels / wind energy did not have much of a return value in the 1970s.

I don't know if the same could be said today.

We all share the Earth's resources.
This issue cannot be accomplished by a few. Yes the economy and jobs are impacted. Unfortunately for our leaders to lead they need to think long term. (And the election period is short.)
At 07 June, 2007 16:08, bachi said…

Hey anonymous... Answer to your question:

Q. So Same guy/girl five years later?

A. They will be history. Did not survive global warming ;)
At 04 July, 2007 22:54, Anonymous said…

I think we'll have to have a little talk about global warming, Bachi. Until that time, think about this: If it be true that earth's climate is not chnging, which would you prefer--warming or cooling?
At 05 July, 2007 22:15, bachi said…

Hi Flipowitz - I'm not sure I understand your question. In case you want to know if I prefer the earth to cool down or warm up due to climate change, I really don't have a preference because neither is going to help me.

On a side note, a lot of people think I don't care about "global warming". That is not true. I believe it is happening and I'm equally concerned. Only thing is that I say - man may have a part to play in it but he is not responsible for all of it. There may be a million other factors we have no clue about.