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It's not so much the issue of free land as it is the issue of cheaper alternatives. Hydropower? Springing up everywhere on the Arax and elsewhere. Nuclear? Much cheaper and the government has plans to keep it running and possibly building a replacement until alternative energy is available.
The cost of solar is about $4/watt, or thereabouts. When I say solar, I mean photovoltaic, not for heating. Anyway, California has had great success with commercial and residential adoption because of tax incentives, not to mention a significant compensation of the total initial price. That's what Armenia needs: incentives! But will the government budge? Unlikely.
lol, All this talk, reminds me of the use of solar power in a village in Hayastan that I visited a couple of years ago. They were using a rusty old tractor fuel tank to heat their shower water. If only they believed me that it would work a lot better if they painted it mat-black so that less of the energy is reflected away. I actually go ridiculed for the suggestion . Yeah well, what can you do
As I was reading the messages on this thread, I was thinking this exact kind of thing.
I think solar makes MUCH more sense as a decentralized (personal) power source (especially for poor countries and people) than as some centralized source.
I think, one day, each family could solar power their own home/village/neighborhood... Right now, there are very simple and cheap solar ovens that are being given to people in Africa to sanitize water and do basic cooking. Also, simple solar computers are being developed (no gaming or dvd, sorry). To meet heat, cooking, and very simple electronic needs, individual solar (without all the complex panels for high power output) is a good way to go.
Eve was framed.
* previously banned user, now banned again * - siggie
There is a company called Cafesjia(n) that advertises all the time on CNN here in Yerevan. There comercial concerns using solar, wind and water to crate energy. The problem is, their comercial is vauge. I have no idea who they are advertising to, or what the purpose of the comercial is. Moreover, they give no telephone # or website to find out information on their company (googling didn't result in anything either).
If anybody knows anything about this company, feel free to enlighten me. I also find this very interesting.
Crusader, I did a google search of the name Cafesjian, and came up with this link:
which says that the company you may be talking about is called Solaren and is owned by some guy called 'Gerard Cafesjian' ? I can't find a web site for this Solaren company though.
Anyway, I think that part of the way forward is the development of low energy applicances for homes. For example, replace incandecent light bulbs with appropriately directed LEDs (then perhaps we might be able to see the stars in the night sky from within cities again). And the majority of appliances will be powered by a small wind turbines, and solar cells on everyones roof. (That will be my ideal world anyway). Heating, and cooking will inescapably have much larger energy demands and therefore require an alternative source. So then, we may use biofuels for example, which the state can take care of, so that the responsibility is shared.
which says that the company you may be talking about is called Solaren and is owned by some guy called 'Gerard Cafesjian' ? I can't find a web site for this Solaren company though.
As I was reading the messages on this thread, I was thinking this exact kind of thing.
... individual solar (without all the complex panels for high power output) is a good way to go.
Moondog, you were way on track (in case that didn't come across). I had been thinking like you and then saw your message. People will understand the (science) and POWER of SIMPLE (e.g., painting the tank black for solar). Not the 'solution' to all, but certainly in the right direction.
Eve was framed.
* previously banned user, now banned again * - siggie
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