I was working on getting some solar panels ready to mount on the roof. It was kind of breezy, and a little cold, and started wondering about the prophetic extreme weather, predicted for us in the near future (doesn't look we'll be acting quite as fast, as some insist). I've been trying to mount my panels, where they aren't like to get shattered from flying debris, and anchoring them well, since we already get some extreme wind.
But I got to thinking, how well are solar panels and wind generators going to hold up in our new climate. Solar panels don't like hot, wind generators probably won't do well in hurricane force winds. Would also suspect a lot of cloud days, as the warmer temperatures are likely to increase water vapor, and clouds.
Of course, the weather extremes are conjecture, may or may not be mixed in to motivate the masses. I did decide to play it safe, and put off climbing the ladder, carrying the panels during gusty winds, for another day. Just not a big enough rush, to take the risk. Cracked two ribs last time I got knocked off a ladder (tree limb), not looking to go through that again.
I won't debate AGW, or even whether or not the climate is warming. I missed the outcome of the last thread, must have been bad, though, since it was completely removed, not just locked. Will probably never know who threw the final stone.
I'm going solar, and potential hurricanes are bad enough around here. The panels I already have on the roof, have survived so far, but wondering how effective they are likely to be over the next decade or so, as things heat up. Extremely hot days, means less efficient, cloudy days are even worse. Seems likely, that they are going to turn out less product than planned, but better than nothing at all. This winter in Florida has been the strangest by far, and can't help but wonder what other unusual weather in store for us this year.
Let make this clear, this is not about AGW, CO2, or whether or not mankind will succeed in stopping Climate Change, not looking to continue debating, we've beat that poor dead horse enough.
The climate is changing, whether or not it will be extreme, like in that movie, is anybodies guess, but we are heading into greener energy sources, and a climate change. I just want to explore how that is going to work out, if things do get rough, whether they actually do or not. It's better to prepare. I've got 8 panels to get up on the roof, bolt down, and get wired in, and hope to continue until I get enough to cover most of my needs. Will eventually go with solar heated water, which I can hope will be useful for winter heat as well (if this cold trend continues). Summers, I did fine with fans, first 5 years in this house, before installing central AC/heating. Figure if I lose the grid, I'll still be okay.
But I got to thinking, how well are solar panels and wind generators going to hold up in our new climate. Solar panels don't like hot, wind generators probably won't do well in hurricane force winds. Would also suspect a lot of cloud days, as the warmer temperatures are likely to increase water vapor, and clouds.
Of course, the weather extremes are conjecture, may or may not be mixed in to motivate the masses. I did decide to play it safe, and put off climbing the ladder, carrying the panels during gusty winds, for another day. Just not a big enough rush, to take the risk. Cracked two ribs last time I got knocked off a ladder (tree limb), not looking to go through that again.
I won't debate AGW, or even whether or not the climate is warming. I missed the outcome of the last thread, must have been bad, though, since it was completely removed, not just locked. Will probably never know who threw the final stone.
I'm going solar, and potential hurricanes are bad enough around here. The panels I already have on the roof, have survived so far, but wondering how effective they are likely to be over the next decade or so, as things heat up. Extremely hot days, means less efficient, cloudy days are even worse. Seems likely, that they are going to turn out less product than planned, but better than nothing at all. This winter in Florida has been the strangest by far, and can't help but wonder what other unusual weather in store for us this year.
Let make this clear, this is not about AGW, CO2, or whether or not mankind will succeed in stopping Climate Change, not looking to continue debating, we've beat that poor dead horse enough.
The climate is changing, whether or not it will be extreme, like in that movie, is anybodies guess, but we are heading into greener energy sources, and a climate change. I just want to explore how that is going to work out, if things do get rough, whether they actually do or not. It's better to prepare. I've got 8 panels to get up on the roof, bolt down, and get wired in, and hope to continue until I get enough to cover most of my needs. Will eventually go with solar heated water, which I can hope will be useful for winter heat as well (if this cold trend continues). Summers, I did fine with fans, first 5 years in this house, before installing central AC/heating. Figure if I lose the grid, I'll still be okay.
