Thanks for that feedback. Could it be that you are just donating your excess to grid with no net metering ? This from CP webpage.
I do just send it back without selling it back. The net metering programs come from your provider, not Centerpoint. I use Discount Power for free nights. It works out better for me than net metering.
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I’ve been posting a lot about solid state battery tech coming down the road but there looks to be some tech changes that will transform the market before those arrive. I didn’t realize how close silicone anodes were…they will allow double the battery density and 10 minute charging…a game changer by itself. They could/should hit the market in 2026.
Here’s a cool article about coming tech from last summer:
Interesting. Do you combined that with EV charging of any type?
I have a Tesla Model 3. My free nights run from 9P - 9A. I schedule my car charging at 9:15 so I’m using the free electricity. My electric bill runs about $25/month in the winter and about $15/month in the summer. I basically swapped my electric bill for the solar panel bill and have the peace of mind that if the grid goes out, I’ll have power. The grid was down in my neighborhood for about 5 or 6 days during the last hurricane. I had to conserve the batteries by turning my thermostat up to 76 or 77 so the AC wouldn’t run all day, but I never lost power. I’ll break even on my solar purchase in about 5 years.
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Some of you think we hate EV’s. That could not be more untrue. Here is what I have a major objection with EV’s and solar panels. We often read about ethics with good and wrong reasons. Unfortunately EV’s and solar panels are part of two of the most unethical industries in our history.
No one can deny the origin of most solar panels. While we still buy them we turn the other way by ignoring where these same panels are manufactured and by whom. Moreover we all know how EV batteries are mostly manufactured and by whom. Furthermore by imposing on society a product vs another is a clear signal to all. Finally the same solar panels and ev batteries producer is dumping its products without any consequences. This will result inevitably on tens of millions of jobs lost if we do not ethically wake the f…k up. Yes the automobile industry plays a vital part to many county’s economy. Like it or not by depending on one single source it becomes a Western International security issue. We always have a choice but by imposing on us life changing products we are f…d. It is time to realize it before it is too late.
Uh NO everything made today and the past 100 years is made with so portion of fosdil fuel it will never go away
No oil or gas no electricity.
There are several candidates, but I think you are most deserving of this
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Chris,
The world, US included, has used mid east oil for decades from some of the most brutal and regressive regimes that have and and continue to exist. Bottom line, don’t let ethics get in the way of your bottom line. Business is business. Be it oil or solar panels or batteries.
Sure I’d like to see more high tech manufacturing capabilities in the US. But paying US wages is a non starter for most companies without government subsidies.
I’ll also add the jump in US manufacturing of solar panels.
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Cobalt, much of which is mined in the Congo, is used for American refining.
It’s practically impossible to avoid every single ethical backdrop especially when it comes to energy. There’s always exploitation somewhere in the supply chain.
That being said, I think America can reduce these issues if we annex Greenland, which is a rare earth goldmine. Problem is that the only way to access these rare earths is if the ice sheets keep melting, so it’s a bit of a catch 22 because as more of its ice sheets melt, the higher sea levels rise
Apples and…kiwis. You can’t compare mid east regimes with a world super power that has killed 100’s of millions for its own benefits. By buying national security risks goods we put ourselves…by definition at risks.
This isn’t a real thing.
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I’m just saying it would make sense
Many thought the same thing about Iraq.
It’s a silly fantasy.
Same but different.
USA wasn’t trying to annex Iraq. They were attempting to democratize (privatize in capitalist terms) the region, in order to open the Middle East oil industry to the free market, rather than keeping it a nationalized Petrostate. Of course this benefits the USA from an oil price perspective
You can call the Iraq invasion a silly fantasy, but there was still an attempt, largely exacerbated by 9/11 which unfortunately helped public perception to “retaliate”
The USA would never use military force to annex Greenland, but the problem is that other countries might attempt to do so if it means controlling their own supply of rare earths to wane off depending on China (who controls practically the entire supply chain especially for Solar)
I’m calling the Greenland thing a silly fantasy.
Iraq was a disaster predicated on lies. That’s all I can go into, as this is getting political.
We aren’t annexing Greenland.
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Those are called, “rogue nations”. There’s one doing that to Ukraine right now.
It’s against international law.
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You don’t say
Well, the world told Russia not to invade Ukraine
But I’m sure they will listen this time when it comes to Greenland
So you are pro U.S. invasion of Greenland? Greenland has said no thanks to being part of the U.S., and Denmark has territorial control, as of now.
How are we getting Greenland?
There is no annexation, only invasion.
Take the political BS to another thread please.