How does a post Covid-19 world look?
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If only!
then, as a species, we will, eventually, be wiped out...
but you're right, there needs to be a thirst for change before it happens. one day it will because it will have to.
the spike in tourism numbers is bound to happen after people have been locked inside for months but hopefully enough people will realise we can't continue like we did before, we can't keep consuming like we do.
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The eco warriors are getting a bit het up about the facts quoted in the film being up to 11yrs old when the particular articles were originally recorded eg. GM launching the Chevy Volt and an early experimental solar panel plant where the panel efficiency was only 8%
I normally give Michael Moore documentaries a viewing but if he's quoting out of date tech to rubbish current ecological efforts to clean up the planet you have to wonder what his agenda really is?
I can never understand why every new building in the UK does not have to have solar panels fitted as a condition of getting planning consent. We know that anything "designed in" is easier than "retro-fit".
I'd rather see a roof covered in solar panels than a field that used to grow food and absorb Co2 covered in them, a roof has little environmental benefits.
Who doesn't want free, green electricity? Doesn't every politician want to massively reduce our carbon footprint?
Even if it just reduced your electricity bill and carbon footprint by, say, half, surely we would all want that. Selling solar panels ought to be like selling water to a man walking across a desert!
The cynic in me questions why solar power hasn't really taken off in the UK in the way that it could have done, if the panels are now more efficient, what's holding it back?
Anybody got solar panels on their roof or other knowledge?
I'd rather see a roof covered in solar panels than a field that used to grow food and absorb Co2 covered in them, a roof has little environmental benefits.
Who doesn't want free, green electricity? Doesn't every politician want to massively reduce our carbon footprint?
Even if it just reduced your electricity bill and carbon footprint by, say, half, surely we would all want that. Selling solar panels ought to be like selling water to a man walking across a desert!
The cynic in me questions why solar power hasn't really taken off in the UK in the way that it could have done, if the panels are now more efficient, what's holding it back?
Anybody got solar panels on their roof or other knowledge?
I worked in alternative energy for a few years a while back when it was getting popular...we did do some solar stuff, but i was mainly involved in 'small wind' (like the stuff you see on farms).
I think the main reason more people don't have it cost vs payback, most people think about the here and now as opposed to the long term benefits. The majority of customers we had were pretty well off, had an interest in the technology or had enough money they could afford to wait years for any payback. On locations i worked where there were both solar and wind, wind always generated significantly more power as here in the UK only limited energy can be extracted from the sun in our predominantly cloudy skys.
i think the reason we dont see more is house builders are competing with other house builders...if house builder A sticks solar panels on as part of the build and the house price goes up 20k as a result, the worry is customers will go to house build B because their offering is immediately cheaper. There is also maintenance and upkeep of the equipment, more headaches with electricity providers/exporters...most people just don't want the hassle and having it thrust upon them might lose house builder A the sale.
I think the only way it could work is if planning consent is only given if some alternative energy is used to power it...i'm planning a sizeable extension (part rebuild!) of my current house and i'm looking at installing solar tiles (they look like a regular roof as opposed to a panel bolted on top). it will increase the outlay, however as ill need to buy tiles anyway it makes sense to consider upgrading to solar at the same time. if all new builds had these the combined power generated from them would make a massive difference especially as houses are so thermally efficient nowadays.
There was talk that gas boilers would be banned in 2025 for new installs..which would drive demand on to electric which in turn might drive renewables...not sure if this is still on the cards.
You're spot on about the cost to the regular person. As a house designer, most of my clients are on a pretty tight budget, can't afford to spend on solar electric and prefer to stick to the tried and tested gas and oil installations for heating and hot water. Add to this the use of solar gain built into the design and high levels of insulation and you still get a pretty efficient building. Wealthier clients have dabbled with solar and ground/air source, but as said above, only because they can afford to and feel that they should do their bit.
In Wales, some sort of renewable is required in new builds. It's often the bare minimum, so a couple of solar panels for the hot water, again, down to cost.
In Wales, some sort of renewable is required in new builds. It's often the bare minimum, so a couple of solar panels for the hot water, again, down to cost.
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Totally agree with well insulated new builds and solar gain from a southern glazed aspect & air-tightness.
The great thing with a well specified/designed/built structure is that the on going maintenance costs are mostly low; anything mechanical/electrical will fail and land you with a significant bill eventually, plus the ongoing maintenance cost.
A lot of the issues with green-house gas producing energy is that none of us are paying the real cost of climate change yet, driven by our current choices........but maybe/defiantly many people on this planet soon will be paying a big price.
So unfortunately it comes down to government taxation/legislation to drive the change we need to see, to encourage us to change our behaviour.
To me the biggest barrier is how we view our home; it should be seen as a depreciating asset, that every 50 years needs to be demolished and rebuilt to the latest thinking (probably factory built and delivered to site in bits/modules).
The great thing with a well specified/designed/built structure is that the on going maintenance costs are mostly low; anything mechanical/electrical will fail and land you with a significant bill eventually, plus the ongoing maintenance cost.
A lot of the issues with green-house gas producing energy is that none of us are paying the real cost of climate change yet, driven by our current choices........but maybe/defiantly many people on this planet soon will be paying a big price.
So unfortunately it comes down to government taxation/legislation to drive the change we need to see, to encourage us to change our behaviour.
To me the biggest barrier is how we view our home; it should be seen as a depreciating asset, that every 50 years needs to be demolished and rebuilt to the latest thinking (probably factory built and delivered to site in bits/modules).
BT Engineers drive Transits.......
They are not the superior.
(Well not on this forum, anyway)
I suspect you may never buy another car/ van/motorcycle again.
Helium-3. Just saying.Maybe we should see what we can scavenge from the moon? Can you imagine what might happen if we start digging chunks out of that bugger?
I heard on here that Germany make some good vans!
I heard on here that Germany make some good vans!
With many components from...
As Donald Trump would say.......China!
Yip. Exactly my thoughts. All those little microchips, capacitors, resistors, leds, bulbs and probably a fair amount of the minerals found in so many other bits and bobs in the build. It's a global economy. It's a consumer economy.
Or as he puts Chy nah
I was going to say the same thing but couldn't decide how to spell it!
I have solar panels, and have had them for 10 years or more.
They were expensive at the time, but the government were giving out grants for them, and I got a great deal on the feed in tariff.
They have paid for themsleves easily, plus much more.
Coupled with an Immersun for around 8 months of the year they heat our 270ltr hot water tank, and plenty more.
They dont provide much through Nov, Dec, Jan & feb, but still a little on a clear day.
If I had enough land and access I would have gone for a ground source heat pump, but I don`t so were on oil. Oil can be expensive although at the moment its around 17p a litre so cheap as.
Thanks, good user experience that isn't an advert, It seems like they could be part of the answer, alongside other technology.
The problem there is that there would be no incentive to own a house. Currently, a house that you own gives you financial security for the future. Once it's paid for, the mortgage money can accumulate in savings or make life a bit more comfortable month to month. A paid for house is also a pretty good savings account that you can realise if you downsize. There's also the whole heritage consideration. Surely a line would have to be drawn as to which buildings would be disposable and which should be retained. This would need to go far deeper than the current Listed Buildings system.
I've been saying very similar for years mate.
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